7/25/2019 ESP Architecture
1/2
Universidad Columbia del Paraguay
English for Specific PurposesArchitecture
2016ESP Instructor: Julian Armoa
Mecanoo Wins Competition to Design
Tainan Public Library
by Karissa Rosenfield
Mecanoo architecten and MAYU architects+ have won a competition
to design the newTainan Public Library in Taiwan. Their winning
design "represents the meeting of cultures,generations and
histories," says the architects. It will feature an inverted
stepped facadethat houses reading rooms, special collections, study
spaces, a childrens area, caf,conference hall, a 200-seat
auditorium, and public courtyards.
From the architects:Tainan is a city born from a history of
diverse cultures, peoples and
traditions. The urban fabric holds memories from the 17th
century European maritimetrading, the Qing Dynasty Ruling, and the
Japanese settlement of the early 1900s. Ontop of its rich history,
modern Tainan is developing as a central city in theknowledge-based
economy. The Public Library is about Tainans evolving relationship
with its pastand the direction towards its future.
Mecanoo and MAYUs design for the Tainan Public Library
represents the meeting ofcultures, generations and histories.
Natural materials, like stone and wood, rational yetelegant
structural lines and a sensitive use of light characterise the
buildings timelessdesign.
Reaching up into the sky, the buildings perimeter increases on
each level. The result is
a large canopy that provides shade to the transparent stepped
facade and below-gradecourtyards.
Around the perimeter of the Lower Ground Floor is an outdoor
childrens play area. A floor-to-ceiling glazed wall creates a
visual connection between the play area and indoorchildrens reading
room. A sunken plaza on the same level is a multifunctional
outdoorspace for hosting talks, exhibitions or social gatherings.
With a caf adjacent, it isdesigned as a social destination for
curious minds, creating a peaceful space for reading,group work, or
socializing.The entrance hall rises three levels to show the
librarys internal configuration and thelayering of floors. The
wooden fenestration filters daylight, creating a rhythmic patternof
light on the stone floor. Curvaceous stairwells show the dynamic
flow of people
through the building. The generous open-plan spaces ensure the
library can adapt tofuture needs.
On the top floor, a delicate second skin is wrapped around the
building, filtering the lightand reducing solar heat gain. An
ancient map of Tainan is transposed onto verticallouvres and
represents the citys evolving relationship with its past and the
directiontowards its future.
http://www.archdaily.com/author/karissa-rosenfieldhttp://www.archdaily.com/author/karissa-rosenfield
7/25/2019 ESP Architecture
2/2
Universidad Columbia del Paraguay
English for Specific PurposesArchitecture
2016ESP Instructor: Julian Armoa
The35,000-square-meter building is also designed to include a
13,000-square-meterextension. It is expected to complete at the end
of 2018.
Cite: Karissa Rosenfield. "Mecanoo Wins Competition to Design
Tainan Public Library" 22 Feb 2016. ArchDaily. Accessed
25 Feb 2016.
Answer the following questions.
1. What does the winning design represent?2. When is this
project expected to be finished?3. Where is the outdoor childrens
play area located?4. What sort of elements and/or materials
characterizes the buildings timeless
design?5. What kind of particular spaces will this project
house?
6. What are the three main traditions characterizing Tainan?7.
How many square meters does the building have?8. Who are the
architects who won this competition?
True or false. Justify the false sentences.
1. A cafe is designed as a business destination for businessmen
all over theworld.
2. The wooden fenestration filters pollution.3. The generous
open-plan spaces ensure the library can adapt to future needs.4. A
sunken plaza is a multifunctional outdoor space for parties and
political
campaigns.5. The entrance hall rises five levels.6. An ancient
map of Tainan epresents the citys evolving relationship with its
past
and the direction towards its future.
Archi tecture word bank
inverted stepped faade public courtyards.
17th century European maritime trading the Japanese settlement
of the early 1900s.knowledge-based economy. rational yet elegant
structural linesa sensitive use of light. the buildings
perimeterwooden fenestration rhythmic pattern of lightCurvaceous
stairwells dynamic flowsolar heat gain vertical
louvres35,000-square-meter building
