Xiangyang Library

In Chinese history, intellectuals harbor not only a positive and responsible attitude towards society, but also a spirit above worldly considerations. Hence their destination is in uninhabited places in mountains and waters after the fulfillment of duty. Intellectuals live in seclusion among forest springs, abandon themselves to nature, read freely and write honestly. The Xiangyang Library Program honors the historical tradition of collection of books and thoughts in mountains, returns to nature, and adheres to the harmony and unity with nature in terms of architectural space, form and shape. The shape of the architecture is inspired by the "Tree of Knowledge", which is taken from the historical story of Confucius's apricot altar lecture, combined with the harmonic sound of the word library in Chinese ("tree"). The vertical form of the facade is then formed through the simplification and abstraction of the tree concept. The shape of the project is smooth and natural, strong and complete contained in pliability and toughness, forming a massive shelter, offering the public a quiet and free spiritual place. The openness of communication space inside the building breaks the traditional image of a closed library. The skylight in the atrium creates a reading experience in the library which resembles that in a forest with scattered sunlight though leaves.