Quiet contemplation: Vector Architects' beachside library in China makes the perfect reading retreat
Set against the backdrop of the Bohai Sea, the sound of crashing waves and the rippling effect of water, the serene Seashore Library in China's north-eastern beach of Nandaihe is the brainchild of Beijing-based Vector Architects.
Offering an uninterrupted, front-row view of the seashore's dramatic sky and ever-changing waters, the building was conceived as an exercise in harmonious coexistence between architecture and landscape. Through his work, Vector's lead architect, Gong Dong, aims to convey a series of complex relationships, negotiating the idea of boundary, the movement of the human body, the shifting light and the ocean view.
The impressive concrete building houses a reading area, a meditation space, an activity room, a bar and a resting area. Each aims to portray a distinct relationship between the space and the ocean, and each has its own identity. At ground level, a series of spaces look out towards the ocean through windows that can be opened on warm days. On top of these is a large horizontal strip window; behind it, the building's striking centrepiece reading room.
The meditation space sits next to the reading area on the top floor. Two slim openings on the east and west sides let in light during sunrise and sunset, creating a contemplative ambience. A dramatic curve pushes the ceiling down, discretely dividing the space in two. Above it is a terrace, where people can sit, listen to the sound of the ocean and enjoy the breathtaking view. These peaceful sections offset the more lively activity and reading rooms – the two separated by an outdoor platform.
In order to create panoramic views in the main room, steel trusses – running towards the top of the building – carry the roof loads. Next to these trusses, handcrafted glass blocks are incorporated into the walls, adding another layer of subtle, thoughtful lighting.
The half-arched roof opens towards the sea like a periscope. It features several small, round openings that aid natural ventilation in the summer months. Once these are opened, sunlight also streams through, adding to the unique blend of light, sound and purposeful design that together comprise the Seashore Library's user experience.
ADDRESS
Seashore Library
Nandaihe Pleasure City
Dai He Da Jie
Funing Xian
Qinhuangdao Shi
Hebei Sheng
China
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Remembering Richard Serra (1938-2024), American art’s man of steel
American artist Richard Serra, whose vast sculptures transformed landscapes around the world, has died aged 85
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Architectural gardens around the world to soothe the soul
From small domestic gardens, to nature reserves, urban interventions and local parks, here are some of the finest green projects that place nature at their heart
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Corfu hotel Domes Miramare redefines beachfront bliss
Make like Jackie O at Corfu hotel Domes Miramare, a property with contemporary luxury and echoes of 1960s glamour in spades
By Bridget Downing Published
-
Giovanni Michelucci’s dramatic concrete church in the Italian Dolomites
Giovanni Michelucci’s concrete Church of Santa Maria Immacolata in the Italian Dolomites is a reverently uplifting memorial to the victims of a local disaster
By Jonathan Glancey Published
-
River Wing at Clare College responds to its historic Cambridge heritage
University of Cambridge opens its new River Wing on Clare College Old Court, uniting modern technology with historic design
By Clare Dowdy Published
-
Beijing City Library is an otherworldly escape from the digital world
Beijing City Library by Snøhetta is a flowing, welcoming space to share knowledge and socialise
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Chinese scholar Zhang Taiyan’s house opens as a museum and bookshop in Suzhou
20th-century Chinese scholar Zhang Taiyan’s house in Suzhou has opened to the public as a museum, featuring a bookshop designed by Tsing-Tien Making
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Jiaxing’s sunken train station is a hub of urban greenspace and efficient city links
Jiaxing Train Station by MAD Architects is a bubble of urban green space with a blend of reconstructed historical design and modern minimalism
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Junya Ishigami’s Zaishui Art Museum in China was conceived as a ‘gentle giant’
Japanese architect Junya Ishigami completes Zaishui Art Museum, a kilometre-long building positioned in a manmade lake and aiming to ‘bring the outside landscape in’
By Joanna Kawecki Published
-
Sun Tower, rising on Yantai’s waterfront, wins Best Building Site in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2024
We take a tour of the building site at Sun Tower, Open Architecture's new nature-inspired cultural attraction for the seaside town of Yantai in China
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Forest Villa transforms an existing building shell into a minimalist villa engulfed in nature
Forest Villa by HAS is a minimalist home in suburban China, crafted in an existing building shell, and working with its idyllic natural context
By Ellie Stathaki Published