Today, I visited the Tianjin Binhai Library in China, a striking architectural marvel once acclaimed by Time magazine as one of the world’s must-visit places. Known for its unique design and visual experience, the library has become a hotspot for photographers seeking to capture its beauty. However, despite its captivating exterior, those who come here to read face some challenges due to certain design flaws.
The initial design aimed to house million volumes, but in reality, it accommodates only 300,000. Insufficient lighting poses a challenge, making prolonged reading almost difficult. The
...library was envisioned to evoke the feeling of a mountain of books, but in reality, only the bottom floor holds physical books, while the upper levels are adorned with printed images. If actual books were to be placed, the organization and reading experience could be problematic.
This library stands as both an outstanding design achievement and a place facing challenges and controversies. In this video, I’ll take you through the library entrance corridor, explore the interior design, and showcase how the library transforms in charm during the nighttime.
Video timestamps:
00:00 Preview
00:48 Library entrance corridor
02:35 Entering the library
06:03 Hall with lights on
10:09 Second-floor reading room
20:44 Exploring the top floor space
22:50 The library at nightShow more