Universidad Columbia del Paraguay

English for Specific Purposes Architecture

2016 ESP 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 new
Tainan Public Library in Taiwan. Their winning design "represents the meeting of cultures,
generations and histories," says the architects. It will feature an inverted stepped facade
that 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 maritime
trading, the Qing Dynasty Ruling, and the Japanese settlement of the early 1900s. On
top of its rich history, modern Tainan is developing as a central city in the knowledgebased economy. The Public Library is about Tainans evolving relationship with its past
and the direction towards its future.
Mecanoo and MAYUs design for the Tainan Public Library represents the meeting of
cultures, generations and histories. Natural materials, like stone and wood, rational yet
elegant structural lines and a sensitive use of light characterise the buildings timeless
design.
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-grade
courtyards.
Around the perimeter of the Lower Ground Floor is an outdoor childrens play area. A floorto-ceiling glazed wall creates a visual connection between the play area and indoor
childrens reading room. A sunken plaza on the same level is a multifunctional outdoor
space for hosting talks, exhibitions or social gatherings. With a caf adjacent, it is
designed 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 the
layering of floors. The wooden fenestration filters daylight, creating a rhythmic pattern
of 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 to
future needs.
On the top floor, a delicate second skin is wrapped around the building, filtering the light
and reducing solar heat gain. An ancient map of Tainan is transposed onto vertical
louvres and represents the citys evolving relationship with its past and the direction
towards its future.

Universidad Columbia del Paraguay

English for Specific Purposes Architecture
2016 ESP Instructor: Julian Armoa
The 35,000-square-meter building is also designed to include a 13,000-square-meter
extension. 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. <http://www.archdaily.com/782511/mecanoo-wins-competition-to-design-tainan-public-library/>

Answer the following questions.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

What does the winning design represent?

When is this project expected to be finished?
Where is the outdoor childrens play area located?
What sort of elements and/or materials characterizes the buildings timeless
design?
What kind of particular spaces will this project house?
What are the three main traditions characterizing Tainan?
How many square meters does the building have?
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 the
world.
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.
Architecture word bank
inverted stepped faade
17th century European maritime trading
knowledge-based economy.
a sensitive use of light.
wooden fenestration
Curvaceous stairwells
solar heat gain
35,000-square-meter building

public courtyards.
the Japanese settlement of the early 1900s.
rational yet elegant structural lines
the buildings perimeter
rhythmic pattern of light
dynamic flow
vertical louvres