Tainan adds a new stylish attraction: a stunningly designed mixed-use library that’s a must-visit for photos

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department (compiled and reported)

The “New Construction Project of Tainan Municipal Central Library” went through a competition involving 17 domestic and international architectural firms, with the design team of architect duo Michael Lin and Chen Yulin, along with the Dutch Mecanoo Architecture firm, being selected. After more than a year of design planning, construction began in 2017. The site chosen was the former Yongkang Artillery School grounds, and the building consists of two underground levels and five above-ground floors, covering an area of 1.5 hectares. The outdoor green space features a children’s-themed landscape park. It was completed and opened in September 2019.

The design team meticulously planned an elegant exterior with classical touches, transforming patterns representing Tainan’s traditional culture into vertical louvers. The graceful lines, coupled with the play of light and shadow, blend culture, history, and generational exchange. This makes the library more than just a place to borrow books—it's now a refined, humanistic learning space rich with Tainan’s character.

Covering an area of 1.5 hectares, the library includes spaces for digital learning, parent-child recreation, and sensory experiences. The 4th floor houses the Tainan Celebrity Hall, along with a 300-seat small theater, an international conference hall, and a cultural and creative complex space. It will also become Taiwan’s largest museum collection of books from the Japanese colonial period. Additionally, the outdoor area features a 15-hectare green park with open performance venues.