A civic living room on stilts—where the city’s humidity and harbor light become the interior décor.
Public library in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Featured in Toyo Ito's definitive monograph, Toyo Ito: Forces of Nature.
Visitor Guide
Head straight to the roof garden around sunset; then work your way down—this reverses the usual library script and makes the building feel like a promenade.
Roof garden facing Kaohsiung Harbor, 17:00–18:00 for sunset glow and layered city/port silhouettes.
Yes—free entry. Typically open 10:00–22:00 Tue–Sun; closed Monday. Rooftop garden access follows library opening and weather conditions.
The building performs like a shaded urban canopy: the structural grid and voids are tuned to local climate—less “icon,” more breathable infrastructure.
1–2 hours
Design & Structure
Large-span, open-plan library planning with environmental intent: a porous structural frame and deep overhangs to shade and ventilate; circulation designed as a vertical urban walk culminating in the roof garden; parametric-like repetition in the façade/structure modules to keep the big gesture buildable.
Concrete/steel structural frame with extensive glazing and shading devices—materials chosen to survive heat, salt air, and heavy public use while keeping interiors bright.
An elevated, column-and-plate system that reads as a giant shaded pavilion; the engineering feat is making openness feel stable and comfortable in a coastal climate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Kaohsiung Main Public Library?+
Kaohsiung Main Public Library was designed by Toyo Ito and completed in 2014. It is located in Zhenxing Village, Taiwan.
Where is Kaohsiung Main Public Library located?+
Kaohsiung Main Public Library is located in Zhenxing Village, Taiwan. Its coordinates are 22.6102°, 120.3018°.
When was Kaohsiung Main Public Library built?+
Kaohsiung Main Public Library was completed in 2014. It was designed by Toyo Ito.
Can I visit Kaohsiung Main Public Library?+
Kaohsiung Main Public Library is a real building in Zhenxing Village that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.