Buzz
It is often said that books are the vast treasure trove of human knowledge. Because of this, cities and countries have always placed great importance on creating cultural landmarks such as libraries. Recently, the Tianhai Library in Tianjin, China, has gained massive attention, not just for being a massive book storage space, but for its extraordinary and impressive architecture that has left young travelers in awe.
Admiring the Tianhai Library, a mark of Chinese tourism
The library houses over 1 million books
Although it was recently opened, the library in the Tianhai Cultural District in Tianjin, China, has already captured the attention of young people worldwide. From the outside, tourists can easily spot that the library resembles a giant eye, earning it the nickname 'The Eye of Tianhai.'
The Tianhai Library in China, with its eye-shaped design - Photo @rin_smart_architecture
The Tianhai Library spans over 34,400m², nearly the size of five standard football fields. It can hold more than 1.2 million books from all over the world, arranged across curved bookshelves in a mesmerizing 30-level spiral layout. The stacked shelves form a 'mountain of books' that cover a vast range of subjects. For book lovers and avid readers, this library in Tianjin is a dream destination for international tourism.
Modern design with an abundance of books - Photo: @wetinhappen
In addition to its vast space filled with books, the library also features a modern computer room, reading areas, rooms behind the bookshelves, offices, and lounges strategically placed along the walls. The library includes spaces specifically designed for the elderly and children on the ground floor, making it easier for these groups to navigate. Additionally, the library incorporates underground rooms used for book storage.
The flawless design of the Tianhai Library
The Tianhai Public Library in Tianjin was designed by the Dutch architectural firm MVRDV and took three years to complete. MVRDV is known for its projects worldwide, focused on addressing modern architectural and urban issues.
The sphere is considered the pupil of the Tianhai eye - Photo: @photodzencom
If you observe from the outside, you'll notice a massive white sphere, over 20 meters in diameter, located right in the heart of the Tan Hai Library. This eye-catching feature is a standout element of the elegant library. The sphere is made of an alloy and illuminated with LED lights, giving foreign visitors the impression of a space that exudes intelligence and creativity. When night falls, the entire building, illuminated by the sphere, takes on the appearance of glowing eyes gazing out to the sea.
The system of tiered book shelves in Tan Hai Library - Illustrative image
In addition, the area surrounding the sphere is designed with book shelves arranged in tiered steps, leading up to the transparent skylight on the roof. As light pours through the skylight into the library, the white steps appear like a series of 'terraced fields', stacked upon each other, or like the crashing waves of the sea, foamy and bright.
The spacious reading and check-in area in the library - Photo @catmmiu
In addition, the design of the building with its unique curves plays a significant role in encouraging the use of space for activities such as reading, walking, meetings, and discussions, helping to avoid boredom for readers and visitors. However, the high bookshelves are still under construction, so they are not yet displaying actual books, but only aluminum panels decorated to resemble books.
Although the project is still not fully completed, this place remains an ideal destination for book lovers and solo travelers passionate about capturing 'Instagram-worthy' photos. So, if this grand library has already captured your heart after reading this article, be sure to visit and take a few pictures while you're there!
