Yusuhara is a small town in Kochi Prefecture with a population of a few thousand people. This in and of itself is not terribly noteworthy, as there are thousands of little towns around Japan that, on paper, seem very similar. What sets this charming mountain town apart is the presence of six dramatic buildings designed…

French architectural agency D’Houndt+Bajart unveils their latest work – the transformation of Dunkirk‘s former fine arts museum into a media library called ‘LA BIB’. Commissioned by the city, the ambitious project intends to create a cultural hub by providing a new program for the building, which includes a café, library, auditorium and an exhibition hall.…

Following an 18-month renovation of the historic Rand Hall at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, the ‘Mui Ho Fine Arts Library’ opened in August 2019. The redesigned space was designed by architect Wolfgang Tschapeller, whose goal for the project was ‘a 21st-century interpretation of the grand reading rooms associated with great research collections’. The…

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 sure anyone loves libraries quite like the Finns do. In a country that boasts one…

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 Irving Park district on the city’s Northwest Side. The area features a mix of historic…

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 including a bookstore, a lecture room, exhibition space and a cafe. Providing more than just…

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 site for the university’s students. Developed in collaboration with Stantec, the design reinterprets the traditional…

After successfully completing its multi-use community center 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, the ‘Cave of fireflies’ for recommendations, the ‘Xanadu of rainbows’ for reading room, and the…

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 modern library. JAN 1, 2009 (From Project for Public Spaces) To succeed today, libraries must…

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 it is housed. The building’s imposing footprint measures 90 x 60 metres with a height…