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,...

At Instinct Furniture we love sharing and applauding cool things we come across in libraries and learning. Even though this article was written 10 years ago (a big thanks to our unknown author), the principles remain the same for today’s…

The vast LocHal library and events space, designed by Amsterdam-based studio Civic Architects, occupies a former glass and steel locomotive shed in Tilburg, the Netherlands. Located in Tilburg's station district, the LocHal library is named after the locomotive shed in which...

American studios MSR Design and JRA Architect have completed a public library in Louisville featuring a sculptural, medal-clad exterior that is partly concealed by tall, leafy trees. The South Central Regional Library is part of the Louisville Free Public Library...

Atelier Jean Nouvel’s recently completed Stelios Ioannou Learning Resource Center, at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia, has been revealed in photographs by Yiorgis Yerolymbos. Named after Cypriot industrialist Stelios Ioannou, the library in the capital of Cyprus has been designed...

X+Living was tasked with bringing Zhongshuge’s vision to life, ‘to create the most beautiful reading experience space for readers, where they harvest not only wisdom from books, but also the perception and sedimentation of life.’  In turn, the firm created...

Ladybird-like wings open to reveal a micro movable library for children in China. In response to the ‘commercial sprawl’ of shared bicycles that are used and left all over our cities, LUO studio has recycled these abandoned bikes and created...