Architecture

MAD's spaceship-like library lands on Chinese coast

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Cloudscape of Haikou is situated on the coastline in Hainan Province, facing the South China Sea
Archexist
Cloudscape of Haikou is situated on the coastline in Hainan Province, facing the South China Sea
Archexist
Cloudscape of Haikou offers choice views of the sea and coastline
Archexist
Cloudscape of Haikou's unusual sculpted form creates sheltered spaces outside
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Cloudscape of Haikou's landscaping includes a decorative reflective pond
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Cloudscape of Haikou measures 1,380 sq m (roughly 15,000 sq ft)
Archexist
Cloudscape of Haikou's interior is naturally illuminated by strategically placed holes in the facade and ceiling
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Cloudscape of Haikou's reading area includes small nooks for bookworms
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Cloudscape of Haikou offers viewing points and a rooftop terrace area
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Cloudscape of Haikou's main reading area has a capacity of 10,000 books
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Cloudscape of Haikou's minimalist interior decor accentuates the flowing concrete curves
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Cloudscape of Haikou is part of a wider development push in Haikou, Hainan Province, by the Chinese government
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MAD Architects wowed us with its initial concept for the Wormhole Library and happily the finished design looks just as out-of-this-world as the renders suggested it would. The project, now officially renamed the Cloudscape of Haikou, is complete and has opened to visitors in China.

The curvy library is situated on the coastline in Haikou, Hainan Province, facing the South China Sea. The project is part of a wider development push that's being spearheaded by the Chinese government and will include another 15 buildings to help boost tourism in the area.

It measures 1,380 sq m (roughly 15,000 sq ft) and is defined by an eye-catching flowing concrete form with a hole-dotted facade that was created with the help of a CNC router and a 3D printer. The holes in the facade are strategically placed to allow light to permeate within.

Inside, all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing is hidden away to accentuate the minimalist decor and the smooth concrete surface is contrasted with wood and glazing. A good chunk of the interior floorspace is taken up by the main reading area, which has a relatively modest capacity of 10,000 books, plus there's a multi-functional audio-visual area and a children's reading area with little nooks and fun areas to explore nearby. A café, public restrooms, a public rest area, and a roof garden lie elsewhere.

Cloudscape of Haikou offers choice views of the sea and coastline
Archexist

"The structural form creates several semi-outdoor spaces and platforms, which also serve as excellent spaces for people to read and gaze at the sea," says the firm. "In response to the local hot climate, the gray space of the building's outer corridor is cantilevered to achieve comfortable temperatures, culminating in a sustainable, energy-saving structure.

"The building, quietly located between land and sea, is highly sculptural. The pavilion's free and organic forms also allow for the creation of unique interior spaces, where walls, floors and ceilings merge in unpredictable ways, and the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors are blurred."

In addition to the Cloudscape of Haikou, work recently began on MAD's Train Station in the Forest, while its stunning Yabuli Entrepreneurs' Congress Center recently opened for business.

Source: MAD

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3 comments
Username
Scaled down , it would be a great house.
paul314
I guess libraries don't really need books or that much space for readers any more. I hope they have interesting programs there.
Nelson Hyde Chick
Will it float? With climate change and that close to the water, a couple decades from now it will be under water.