American author George R. R. Martin said, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. Those who never read live only once.”
The interior design of the Tianjin Binhai Library in China resembles an eye when looking at the ceiling from the floor. The library, which was built by the Dutch architecture firm MRVDV and the Tianjin Institute of Urban Planning and Design, was opened in 2017 and became one of the five attractions of the city. There are 1 million and 200 thousand books in the library.
The library was not only a favorite of book lovers but also attracted the attention of many designers with its architectural structure. The place hosted 10,000 people in the first week and many curious readers had to wait in line for their first visit.
The library, with a total area of 33,700 square meters, has five floors. There are books, reading rooms and lounges on the first and second floors, and meeting rooms, offices, computer rooms, audio broadcasting rooms and two roof terraces on the upper floors.
Bookshelves in the library are designed like staircases. These steps provide access to the upper floors. It is aimed that the angles and curves of the building facilitate ease for different activities such as reading, walking and meetings.
According to the Dutch firm, the Binhai Library does not fit the original design they were aiming for. The construction, which was intended to be completed as soon as possible, was completed by ignoring the recommendations of MVRDV. The architecture firm had originally designed book plates made of aluminum where the books on the upper floors are.
The effort and expense spent on reading is commendable. To read everything as signs that introduce God to us; discovering secrets by reading ourselves, life and the universe is a means of true happiness.
