Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates

Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Exterior Photography, FacadeTaipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Image 3 of 53Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Image 4 of 53Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Image 5 of 53Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - More Images+ 48

  • Architect In Charge: Liao, Kuo-Cheng
  • Project Manager: Wei, Zhuan-Chuan
  • Concept Design Manager: Johnny Chiu
  • Team Member: Jiang, Ze-Yi; Yan, Shang-Min; Ling, Pei-Geng; Zhuang, Yu-Fen; Huang, Jian- Wei; Su, Chun-Ru; Wang, Shi-Jie; Yang, Xiang-Qun
  • General Counsel: Zhang, Zhe-Fu, Zhang, Zhe-Fu
  • Aesthetics Consultant: Johnny Chiu
  • Air Conditioning Engineers: HONG HUI Development Engineering Co., Ltd.
  • City: Sanxia District
  • Country: Taiwan
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Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Xiao Xiong Liang Yan photography

Text description provided by the architects. National Taipei University Library is located in sanxia district, New Taipei City, embracing the local culture of sanxia Old Street and the history of porcelain art in Yingge District in northern Taiwan.

Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Image 29 of 53
© Xiao Xiong Liang Yan photography

A library has always been recognized as an icon for any of educational institutions. Traditionally, most libraries are stiffly built in concrete with strictly controlled environment and single entrance of security concern. It does achieve the goal of providing the quiet space and the storage for books.

Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Image 32 of 53
First Floor Plan

However, we conceived the future library as an open space with free flows of knowledge exchange. Thus, the main concept of National Taipei University Library is creating interaction amongst different characters within the space - human, book, media, architecture, and environment. We believe that these interactions allow people to gain more knowledge than we imagine. We expect the library as an open building where students are able to easily access all the information and spaces, also actively share their knowledge and experience through a well-designed site plan.

Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Image 20 of 53
© Xiao Xiong Liang Yan photography

Instead of building a huge concrete architecture, we decided to slice it into three parts with organized entrances of each. The axis was inserted to the program which links the main entrance to the lake at the back, and the concept of urban street was applied to create a plan of activity mall in the library.

Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Interior Photography, Living Room, Sofa, Shelving, Table
© Xiao Xiong Liang Yan photography

It includes spaces with diverse vital functions such as library, gallery, bookshop, student centre, and cafe. This creates a relaxed and welcoming ambience in the library which actually encouraging prosperous social activities to happen between people. Also, we opened up the library to the site condition through a floating bridge connecting separated structure that students can experience the nature from a relatively different perspective.

Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Exterior Photography
© Xiao Xiong Liang Yan photography

For the exterior design, we like to create a signature which relates to the library itself - book. So we turned the actions of people taking the book out of the shelf and literally opening a book into the gentle curves with soft texture as the facade of the building. Its design combining with windows also brings plenty of diagonal nature daylight into the library that it creates the romantic atmosphere within the space for people to indulge in.

Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Interior Photography, Table
© Xiao Xiong Liang Yan photography

What we tried to do in this project is opening up a library and making the pleasant reading experience. People visit here not only for particular purpose, instead, they come here to interact with others and the environment. We provide a different thinking of the library which extends the idea of reading to a wider concept of life experience.

Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Interior Photography, Living Room, Shelving, Bench
© Xiao Xiong Liang Yan photography

We were rewarded the first prize of the design competition of National Taipei University Library in 2008, and the building is completed and opened to public since early 2014.

Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates - Exterior Photography
© Xiao Xiong Liang Yan photography

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Project location

Address:National Taipei University San Shia Campus, No. 151號大學路 Sanxia District, New Taipei City, Taiwan (ROC) 237

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Taipei Univesity Library / LIAO Architect & Associates" 13 Feb 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/594432/taipei-univesity-library-liao-architect-and-associates> ISSN 0719-8884

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