Liyuan Library by Li Xiaodong Atelier

A stunning addition to the town of Huairou a small little village just two hours drive away from busy Beijing urban life.
While being a gracious complement to the village, the small library designed by Li Xiaodong Atelier enhances the appreciation of the natural landscape creating the perfect setting for peace and contemplation. Its location, a pleasant five minute walk from the village center, has been intentionally chosen in order for the library to provide a calming and inspirational experience for those who are in search for a place of harmony and tranquility.

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from the architect

Because of the overwhelming beauty of the surrounding nature our intervention is modest in its outward expression. We can’t compete with nature’s splendor. The building blends into the landscape through the delicate choice of materials and the careful placement of the building volume. Especially the choice of material is crucial in blending with the regional characteristics. After analyzing the local material characteristics in the village we found large amounts of locally sourced wooden sticks piled around each house. The villagers gather these sticks all year round to fuel their cooking stoves. Thus we decided to use this ordinary material in an extraordinary way, cladding the building in familiar textures in a way that is strikingly sensitive.

The inside of the building has a very expressive character. The use of  steps and small level changes to creates a gentle yet distinct separation between places. It frames views towards the surrounding landscape and acts as an embracing shelter. The building is fully glazed to allow for a fully daylight space. The wooden sticks temper the bright light and spread it evenly throughout the space.

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