By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported
The “New Construction Project of Tainan Municipal Central Library” went through a design competition involving 17 domestic and international architectural firms, ultimately selecting the team comprising architect firm Michael Lin Architects (Zhang Malong & Chen Yulin) and the Dutch Mecanoo Architecture firm. After more than a year of design planning, construction began in 2017. The site is located on the former grounds of the Yongkang Artillery School, featuring a structure that spans two underground levels and five above-ground floors, covering an area of 1.5 hectares. The outdoor green space includes a children’s-themed landscape park and was completed and opened in September 2019.
Tainan Municipal Central Library New Main Building (Photo / Mecanoo, the same below)
The design team carefully crafted an elegant exterior with classical touches, transforming patterns symbolizing Tainan’s traditional culture into vertical louvers. Graceful lines interplay with the shifting light and shadows, merging culture, history, and generational exchange. This makes the library more than just a place to borrow books—it’s now a refined learning space infused with humanistic charm and the essence of Tainan.
The library covers 1.5 hectares and houses spaces for digital learning, parent-child recreation, and sensory experiences. The 4th floor features a 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 includes a 15-hectare green park with an open-air performance venue.
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