Tainan, one of Taiwan’s oldest cities, reflects a rich tapestry of cultural influences. The city preserves remnants from its 17th-century trade relations with Europe and features architectural heritage from the 20th-century Japanese colonial era. Renowned for its numerous temples, Tainan is especially famous for its 17th-century Confucian temple.
The design of the Tainan Public Library draws inspiration from this deep historical context and thoughtfully considers the city’s tropical rainforest climate. Its mission is to serve as a cultural heritage hub, housing an extensive collection of over one million books, including print media related to modern art, music, and film.
A standout feature of the library’s design is its stepped exterior. The overhanging sections are elegantly supported by slender, rhythmic columns that evoke the feeling of a bamboo forest, adding depth and lightness to the structure. The building’s distinctive crown is enveloped in vertical aluminum strips engraved with floral patterns, reflecting the window grid motifs found in the historic city center.
These aluminum strips serve a dual purpose: they filter sunlight and heat, enhancing climate control, and at night, they create a unique facade pattern that accentuates the building’s silhouette.
The design seamlessly fuses indoor and outdoor spaces. The building’s expansive overhang creates a shaded outdoor area, ideal for lectures, concerts, exhibitions, and other events, complemented by a nearby public square.
The overhanging facade features a distinctive pattern formed by champagne-colored aluminum panels with relief details, adding visual interest and character. The library’s spatial layout is flexible, designed to accommodate a variety of activity types and user flows.
Inside, a two-story atrium showcases artworks by Paul Cockhedge, symbolizing intellectual freedom and the joy of reading. This artistic ambiance permeates the library, with many pieces designed for interaction and engagement, enriching the visitor experience.
The vibrant red sculptural staircase injects energy into the space and remains clearly visible from all corners, helping visitors orient themselves intuitively throughout the building.
The architects created a warm, inviting atmosphere on the ground floor through extensive use of wood, while maintaining an open and versatile layout. Upon entering, visitors encounter the reception desk and a newspaper and magazine reading room.
A touch-sensitive information kiosk nearby allows easy access to the library’s catalog and facility locations. The children’s reading room features a playful design language, incorporating graphic elements to engage young visitors.
The ground floor also includes several 24-hour study rooms, offering citizens flexible and convenient learning environments. The upper floors feature a media reading room and a collection area where visitors can freely watch films.
Additionally, there is a heritage exhibition hall on the upper level, showcasing Tainan’s cultural relics, archival materials from the Japanese colonial period, and manuscripts from local Taiwanese authors.
The library includes four outdoor activity spaces: a rooftop garden, a café, and multifunctional areas. The top floor houses a theater and conference hall alongside administrative offices.
Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city from the rooftop garden or browse and purchase books from the library’s bookstore.
Project Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Basement Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Fourth Floor Plan
△ Sixth Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: Zhang Malong and Chen Yulin, Co-Architects, Mecanoo
Area: 37,000 m²
Year: 2021
Photographers: Li Yixian, Yu-Chen Chao
Design Directors: Francine Houben (Mecanoo), Malone Chang, Yu Lin Chen (MAYU Architects)
Project Team: Rodrigo Louro, Friso van der Steen, Rodrigo Bandini, Johan Hanegraaf, Rachel Lin, Yuli Huang, Yuanyuan Chen, Natalia Leszcynska, George Orfanopoulos, Antonio Sanna, Wanjen Lin, Yunying Chiu, Tsailing Shih, Eliano Felicio, Nienke Andersson (Mecanoo); (SD) Ting-yi Lo, Yun-shan Huang, Che-sheng Wang; (DD/CD) Ting-yi Lo, Che-sheng Wang, Chia-ru Lin, Beatrice Cordella, Meng-yue Ruan, Qi-ping Yang, Li-chi Yeh, Ya-zhi Guo, Che-kang Liu; (CA) Yun-shan Huang, Chia-ru Lin, Ting-yi Lo, Ya-yun Wang, Wei-chieh Pan, Yun Chen, Ting-yi Li, Cheng-wei Li, Chih-hung Wang, Yung-hsien Fang, Jui-pao Chan, Tien-hsi Hsu, Ya-tieh Yu, Guan-wun Chen, Yu-lun Liang (MAYU Architects)
Installation Consultant: Frontier Tech Institute of Engineering Design & Consultant
Logo Design: Path & Landforms
Location: Rende District, Taiwan, China
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