Revolutionizing Reading Spaces: The Nan Hsing Library

Yuan Chang Tsai and Pin Yu Chen's Innovative Design for Children's Libraries

The inspiration behind Nan Hsing was to create a space where children could read in their preferred position, be it standing, sitting, or even lying down. The designers wanted to break away from the constraints of traditional reading spaces and provide a more flexible and comfortable environment for children.

What sets Nan Hsing apart from other designs is its innovative use of space and light. The library was built in an old-style school in Taiwan, characterized by many beams and columns. The designers cleverly used a two-color shape to lessen the heavy volume of these structural elements, and added indirect light sources to create a sense of array. The window sill area was transformed into a bar reading area, offering different seating and reading options, and a view of the greenery outside.

The realization of Nan Hsing involved the use of super wear-resistant floor tiles, laminate hard plastic sheets, plastic aluminum plates, black mirrors, and customized aluminum frames. The old space was re-planned and redesigned to fit the new design, which spans a total of 1494.780 sqft.

The design process was not without its challenges. With a limited budget, the designers had to be creative in their approach, focusing on tonal materials, lighting, and changing the way of reading rather than relying on expensive design techniques. The result is a calm, stable reading environment that encourages children to focus on their books.

The Nan Hsing library project started in Changhua, Taiwan in February 2018 and was completed in May 2019. The design was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2021, a testament to its innovative and remarkable design. As Yuan Chang Tsai and Pin Yu Chen have shown, a library can be more than just a place to read – it can be a space that inspires and engages its users.