Sited within Japan’s Nakanoshima Park in Osaka, a children’s book forest designed by Tadao Ando is expressively clad in colourful books. The renowned Japanese architect is widely known for his emphasis on both atmospheric simplicity and spatial complexity. With his...

Oslo's long-awaited Deichman Bjørvika central library, which stands alongside the Snøhetta-designed opera house on the city's waterfront, has opened to the public in Norway. Designed by Atelier Oslo and Lundhagem, the five-storey building contains space for 450,000 books wrapped around...

A hill-like green roof with a skylight helps to blend this public library by Toronto architecture firm RDHA into its grassy surrounds. Springdale Public Library and the surrounding Komagata Maru Park are located in Brampton, Canada, a suburb outside of...

Yusuhara is a small town in Kochi Prefecture with a population of a few thousand people. This in and of itself is not terribly noteworthy, as there are thousands of little towns around Japan that, on paper, seem very similar....

French architectural agency D’Houndt+Bajart unveils their latest work – the transformation of Dunkirk‘s former fine arts museum into a media library called ‘LA BIB’. Commissioned by the city, the ambitious project intends to create a cultural hub by providing a...

Following an 18-month renovation of the historic Rand Hall at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, the ‘Mui Ho Fine Arts Library’ opened in August 2019. The redesigned space was designed by architect Wolfgang Tschapeller, whose goal for the project...

Finland’s most ambitious library has a lofty mission, says Helsinki’s Tommi Laitio: It’s a kind of monument to the Nordic model of civic engagement. You might say, “Yes, of course I love the library.” We do, too. But I’m not...

Today we are sharing some of the brilliant libraries that we have visited on our travels. Here are our top picks from Denmark and Sweden. With approximately 2321 public libraries across Denmark, Sweden and Norway serving a population of 21…

A spectrum of vivid hues were incorporated throughout a mixed-use building in Chicago by John Ronan Architects that contains a public library at ground level and low-cost senior housing up above. The Independence Library and Apartments are located in the...

Wutopia lab has recently completed the design of Duoyun books’ flagship store on the 52nd floor of Shanghai‘s tallest building, Shanghai tower. Titled ‘Books above clouds’, the project was commissioned by Shanghai century publishing and includes a variety of functions...

The new Snøhetta-designed Charles Library at Temple University has opened its doors in Philadelphia for the start of the fall 2019 semester. Located at the intersection of two principal pedestrian streets, the project acts as a new social and academic...

After successfully completing its multi-use community centre in Shanghai, Wutopia Lab finalises its construction of the Zhongshu Bookstore in Szhou, China. The bookstore is divided into four main areas and several subdivided zones: the ‘Sanctuary of crystal’ for new arrivals,...