Kaohsiung Public Library Main Library Introduction
The Kaohsiung Public Library Main Branch is located on Xinguang Road and is a building that combines plants, environmental protection, and culture. This eight-story new main branch features a square exterior and a circular interior, with a floor area of 37,233 square meters. Its architectural concept centers around trees and books, creating an open and spacious environment where trees coexist with the library. The new main library boasts several groundbreaking innovations in architecture and design: a suspended steel structure, a hanging landscaped atrium, a 7.5-meter high column-free plaza, modular space arrangements, and extensive greenery to reduce carbon emissions. It serves as a new model of green public architecture, with minimalist design harmonizing with natural greenery and the fragrance of books to create a serene and comfortable reading space. The warmth of Kaohsiung's local community is also evident in the library, which has over 700,000 volumes purchased through public fundraising. Inside, there is a significant “Thank You Tree,” symbolizing gratitude to citizens and everyone who contributed to establishing an enduring cultural mark for Kaohsiung. The first floor of the main library features a half-open space, and the rooftop has a sky garden offering views of the bay area. This reading area welcomes everyone to share and enjoy, reminiscent of the large banyan trees in old village squares, filled with the sounds of reading and laughter, making it one of the most appealing cultural spots in the harbor city, day or night.
