Main atrium of the Tianjin Binhai Library
They call her the 'sea of knowledge', 'the most beautiful library in China', 'Super Sci-Fi' ...And they don't lack reasons. It was the fastest job ever. MVRDV to date, but no less impressive for that. Only three years have passed since the first sketch of this project until its opening last October 1.
It is a library although it could be a landscape of 'Blade Runner'
Located in the binhai cultural district Along with four other buildings, this futuristic library presents a topographic design that has been achieved through the construction of shelves as stands that wave around a striking spherical auditorium located in the center of this space.
The rectilinear volume of the shelves creates an immense ocean of books that is divided into five levels . The underground level it contains service spaces and book storage. The low level , which constitutes the main entrance and where the auditorium is housed, has reading rooms with easy access for children and the elderly. The next two floors house more reading rooms, books and lounge areas . And the latter culminate the building with meeting rooms, offices, computer rooms, music rooms and the most incredible: two roof terraces!
Imagine here. Now.
"We opened up the building creating a beautiful public space inside; a new urban living room at its center. Bookshelves are great spaces to sit and at the same time, they allow access to the upper floors. The angles and curves are meant to stimulate different uses of the space, such as reading, walking, meeting, and debating. Together they form the 'eye' of the building: to see and be seen," explains Winy Maas, co-founder of MVRDV on her website.
'The eye' it is positioned so that its mirrored walls allow us to enjoy a panoramic view of the interior of this incredible library. With 21 meters in diameter, the auditorium was created with the idea that presentations and exhibitions could be held in it.
Entrance to the Tianjin Binhai Library
They wanted to make a all in one library , with a collective area (main atrium) where people, in addition to reading, can be creating and experimenting , and they have succeeded. It has caused a great impact in the media and social networks, and the citizens of tianjin They have welcomed this new space with open arms.
At first glance, the interior structure of this reading center reminds us of one of the Escher's famous paintings with impossible figures . The architecture freak Surely you have wondered how to get to the upper shelves if there are no visible stairs. The answer is simple: no access.
The tight construction schedule made it impossible to carry out the MVRDV proposal, as stated by Maria Lopez, project leader of the Tianjin Binhai Library, for Traveler.es. The idea was that the books on upper levels would be accessible from the back of the atrium. Until then, printed aluminum plates act as books on the upper shelves.
The undulating bookshelves of Tianjin Binhai Library
The way in which the shelves are arranged also spills over into the facade of the library, performing the function of parasols. In this way they protect the interior from excessive sunlight and at the same time keep the environment bright. In addition to wonderful aesthetics, this project has the China Green Star energy efficiency label.
Aluminum has been the base material of the project and the library is connected to the other buildings of the cultural complex through a public gallery protected by a glass canopy , designed by German GMP Architects.
María López, architect of MVRDV She comments in a telephone interview with Traveler.es that in 2012 they inaugurated a similar project in the Dutch city of Spijkenisse called The Book Mountain . In it, the shelves form a mountain of books that is housed under a glass pyramidal structure.
If you have the opportunity to go to China do not hesitate to visit this movie space.
Picture yourself on the steps of Tianjin Binhai Library