GLOBAL SPACES: Seashore Library
The Seashore Library located in Nandaihe, China is a literary haven overlooking a beautiful, sweeping view of the ocean. Designed by Vector Architects and completed in 2015, this library has transcended the spirit of the building’s program from the fictional realm to a tangible reality.
Occupying about 5000 square feet, the Seashore Library sits like a quiet beach rock overlooking the East China Sea. The location of the site adds to the inquisitiveness of the architecture, creating a sense of isolation and solitude. It might seem a bit outlandish at first to imagine a library amidst the beach sand and the blue waves, but the intent embedded in its design and architecture keenly narrates a program encapsulating the meaning of fictional realities.
The design premise relies heavily on the context and elements of its site. Light and wind are important factors, and it was pertinent that this was visible from the form, perspectives, and moments of the architecture. The program of the library includes a reading area, an activity room, a bar, and a resting area. These elements were orchestrated seamlessly to heighten the experience of reading and solitude, but more importantly, these programs orient themselves to the expanse of the ocean. The ocean brings about different sensory experiences to the space. From sight seeing, to hearing the waves crash against the shore, to feeling the misty ocean breeze from the operable windows, this library uplifts its readers and visitors into a serene sanctuary far away from the busyness of everyday life.
The metaphors in the design are brought to life by the materials used in the building. With its concrete façade, the library stands like a still rock washed upon the shore. The firmness of this façade is balanced by the softness of the wood, providing a sense of warmth and comfort to the experience. The grains in the wood are tangible and are inspired from the passing of time in the site found in the footprints on the sand or the gusts of the ocean breeze. This metaphor of time found in the materials is reminiscent of preserving memories. This encapsulates the essence of poetry and literature, which makes this library a very befitting one.
For more information, visit: http://divisare.com/projects/290488-Vector-Architects-Seashore-Library