China Opens World’s Coolest Library With 1.2 Million Books, And Its Interior Will Take Your Breath Away
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James Gould-Bourn Community member
Nobody likes to be watched while they’re trying to read a book, but we’re willing to make an exception if it means getting to visit this stunning new library in China, because as you can see below, the incredible structure has a giant spherical auditorium in the middle that looks just like a giant eye.
Located in the Binhai Cultural District In Tianjin, the five-story library, which was designed by Dutch design firm MVRDV in collaboration with the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI) and has since been dubbed “The Eye of Binhai”, covers 34,000 square metres and can hold up to 1.2 million books. Taking just three years to complete, the library features a reading area on the ground floor, lounge areas in the middle sections and offices, meeting spaces, and computer/audio rooms at the top. We’re not sure how much studying we’d get done though – we’d be far too busy marveling at the awesome architecture!
This isn’t the first time we’ve written about the endlessly creative MVRDV. Click here to read about their giant scaffold staircase and here for their beautiful market hall in Rotterdam.
More info: MVRDV
Update: Turns out, most of these futuristic-looking floor to ceiling shelves are painted to look like they’re full of books, but in reality, much of the covers in the hall are printed images. The real books are stored in other rooms in the building.
Watch the video for more info:
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This looks like it would be a nightmare to get to a specific book!
They probably have it on their computer database and indications where to find it, if you're looking for something specific. It might be tiring, though, to pick a random book
There are signs on the shelves with characters on them, more than likely identifying sections according to whichever system they use to classify their books, and there is probably signage to help with direction from the entrance or centre of the library. From there, even in a Western library, you'd be able to find a book by its call number, which the database will provide.
Gornot, maybe they have each section visually coded, although we can't see it from those photos. Maybe the computer guide can show you a map of the place, with the exact location marked on it. Maybe there are employees who can help you at particular sections (though, yeah, must be tough to work there). I mean, chances are endless. And, yes, one of them could be, as you say, just very impractical.
Gornot, yea, I was pretty disappointed when I looked closely and realized the upper shelves are not actually books, but some form of wallpaper or something. I was looking for what brilliant way of retrieving those books only to find they're not even books! *pout*
@ Gornot. Climb the stairs. It's not difficult, and more people could benefit from that here than there.
And how exactly would you go on about acquiring a book ten shelves about the floor you're at? Cause I certainly don't see an easy way to do it. As creative as the Chinese are, this is actually kind of ridiculous. A humongous space, but books seem to occupy very little of it.
It is an interesting design, but it doesn't seem warm, homey, and comfortable--which is what I like when I sit down to read a book.
It's also not your own culture, which can give a completely different vibe to the Chinese than it would a Westerner.
Who said they couldn't? I'm just reminding Jef that while they gets that impression, the design was not meant for Westerners, and so might evoke something different to the culture it was created for. If you express your opinion on the internet - anywhere that is remotely public, for that matter - expect other people to reply to it, and even, sometimes, disagree with it. Doesn't mean you're not allowed to have an opinion, or that specific opinion, either. It's called a conversation.
I here the Chines have electricity and iPhones too!
Very nice looking library building. I wonder if those books in the upper shelves are simply there for show. There doesn't seem to be a way to reach them unless you're a rock climber. However, I think I prefer traditional library buildings. I believe they are far more silent because of the shelving. This one could prove to be really loud and distracting.
On the upper "shelves" the books are painted on the wall, you can see it in the video
Yes, but I have to think that it was done that way to send a message... that some books (knowledge) are always going to be inaccessible to most of China's citizens.
I see. Missed that in the video. Cheers!
*shelf climber*
This looks like it would be a nightmare to get to a specific book!
They probably have it on their computer database and indications where to find it, if you're looking for something specific. It might be tiring, though, to pick a random book
There are signs on the shelves with characters on them, more than likely identifying sections according to whichever system they use to classify their books, and there is probably signage to help with direction from the entrance or centre of the library. From there, even in a Western library, you'd be able to find a book by its call number, which the database will provide.
Gornot, maybe they have each section visually coded, although we can't see it from those photos. Maybe the computer guide can show you a map of the place, with the exact location marked on it. Maybe there are employees who can help you at particular sections (though, yeah, must be tough to work there). I mean, chances are endless. And, yes, one of them could be, as you say, just very impractical.
Gornot, yea, I was pretty disappointed when I looked closely and realized the upper shelves are not actually books, but some form of wallpaper or something. I was looking for what brilliant way of retrieving those books only to find they're not even books! *pout*
@ Gornot. Climb the stairs. It's not difficult, and more people could benefit from that here than there.
And how exactly would you go on about acquiring a book ten shelves about the floor you're at? Cause I certainly don't see an easy way to do it. As creative as the Chinese are, this is actually kind of ridiculous. A humongous space, but books seem to occupy very little of it.
It is an interesting design, but it doesn't seem warm, homey, and comfortable--which is what I like when I sit down to read a book.
It's also not your own culture, which can give a completely different vibe to the Chinese than it would a Westerner.
Who said they couldn't? I'm just reminding Jef that while they gets that impression, the design was not meant for Westerners, and so might evoke something different to the culture it was created for. If you express your opinion on the internet - anywhere that is remotely public, for that matter - expect other people to reply to it, and even, sometimes, disagree with it. Doesn't mean you're not allowed to have an opinion, or that specific opinion, either. It's called a conversation.
I here the Chines have electricity and iPhones too!
Very nice looking library building. I wonder if those books in the upper shelves are simply there for show. There doesn't seem to be a way to reach them unless you're a rock climber. However, I think I prefer traditional library buildings. I believe they are far more silent because of the shelving. This one could prove to be really loud and distracting.
On the upper "shelves" the books are painted on the wall, you can see it in the video
Yes, but I have to think that it was done that way to send a message... that some books (knowledge) are always going to be inaccessible to most of China's citizens.
I see. Missed that in the video. Cheers!
*shelf climber*