Long Library
2022 Fall
Xinyang, China
The vending machine as a metaphor for such omnipresence that displays materialism and our blasé consumerism as a mass spectacle.
As one of the "Two Better" Library designs, we aim to reflect the spirit of contemporary communities through the Long Library, reshaping social relationships, activating urban spaces, fostering modern community culture, and creating a sustainable and inclusive shared destination.
The Long Library is lightly integrated into Xiyuan Mountain Trail Park in Xinyang City, forming a connection with the site and nature while evoking emotion. It is composed of three primary volumes: the reading space, a café and exhibition area, and a children’s activity space. These volumes are independent yet interconnected.
From the southern side of the park, the elongated metallic structure appears to float on the water, surrounded by lush greenery.
Entering the site along the lakeside, visitors can explore and linger in areas such as the waterside platform, elevated ground-floor space, extended green-roofed structures, semi-outdoor corridors, the transparent café, sunken seating areas, and the children’s activity space. These spaces create a relaxed, open, inclusive, and playful atmosphere.
The architectural design offers an immersive reading experience. The project is a 66-meter-long, 4-meter-wide reading space where movement and sightlines are deliberately guided. The interior is minimalist, with a single row of long benches and an extended bookshelf. Views of the water are only visible through narrow, angled windows located beneath the reading desks, ensuring an undisturbed, tranquil, and serene environment for reading.
The Long Bookhouse fosters connections between people, a dialogue between individuals and the space, and harmony between humanity and nature.