Page-turners and photo ops: the most stunning public libraries across Asia

Tatler Asia

23-07-2025

2. Tianjin Binhai Library (Tianjin, China)
Often nicknamed 'The Eye,' this futuristic space in Tianjin has become something of an internet celebrity. Its central sphere and undulating bookshelves are eye-catching, but not all the books on display are real. Still, the 33,700-square-metre space functions as a public library, complete with reading areas, study rooms and community facilities that locals actively use. 3. Starfield Library (Seoul, South Korea)
Located inside the COEX Mall, the Starfield Library isn't your typical municipal library—but it's still open to the public and serves as a cultural reading lounge. Its towering 13-metre-high bookshelves and curated collection of over 50,000 titles make it a visually stunning, if unconventional, example of what public libraries can look like in commercial settings. 4. Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch (Beitou, Taiwan)
This award-winning eco-library in Beitou Park is built mostly of wood and steel and integrates solar panels and a rainwater collection system. The building's design respects its surrounding environment and shows how public libraries can play a role in sustainable urban development. Inside, it's airy and light-filled—perfect for an afternoon of quiet reading. 5. Musashino Art University Library (Tokyo, Japan)
Designed by Sou Fujimoto, this minimalist architectural marvel lets its books form the structure. The building is constructed almost entirely from bookshelves, and while it primarily serves university students, limited public access is allowed during open events. It reimagines how public libraries can prioritise aesthetics without sacrificing function. 6. Neilson Hays Library (Bangkok, Thailand)
One of Bangkok's oldest and most beloved cultural institutions, the Neilson Hays Library was completed in 1922 and designed by Italian architect Mario Tamagno, also responsible for some of the city's grand colonial buildings. The neoclassical structure features a domed rotunda, arched colonnades and teakwood accents that recall an earlier era of civic elegance. Despite its compact size, the library remains active, hosting readings, art exhibitions and community events. Among public libraries in Asia, it stands out not for scale but for historical continuity and architectural charm. 7. Seoul Outdoor Library (Seoul, South Korea)
Rather than a building, the Seoul Outdoor Library is a public reading initiative that transforms open urban spaces into accessible libraries. Set up in locations like Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, this 'buildingless library' uses mobile kiosks, outdoor bookshelves and shaded seating to bring books directly to the public. Launched by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it's an experiment in civic design that reframes how public libraries function—less as fixed spaces and more as flexible, participatory environments. 8. Kuala Lumpur Library (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Steps from Merdeka Square, this public library is housed in a restored colonial-era building and offers a blend of historic charm and modern convenience. The library provides free public access to digital and print resources and often hosts cultural events and author talks. It's part of a broader initiative to reinvigorate civic institutions in the capital. 9. Jinling Library (Nanjing, China)
Completed in 2009 and located near Xuanwu Lake, Jinling Library is a striking example of contemporary civic architecture in Nanjing. The building's facade blends jade green glass with pale grey stone cladding, creating a clean, geometric presence that echoes the material tones of nearby civic structures. The use of glass invites natural light deep into the reading rooms, while its angular silhouette conveys modernity without overwhelming the historic context. Adjacent to the main site is the newly opened Jinling Diamond Art Pavilion, a dramatic twisting form clad in over 139,000 ceramic bricks in a gradient of copper-brown tones—a clear nod to the nearby Ming-era city walls. Together, the two structures present a dialogue between tradition and innovation, reaffirming the role of public libraries as both cultural anchors and architectural statements. 10. Urban VAC Library (Hanoi, Vietnam)
Set within a villa garden in Hà Đông District, the VAC Library by Farming Architects (completed in 2018) is an open‑air pavilion offering an inventive blend of mini‑ecosystem and reading nook. Its modular wooden grid structure forms a climbable frame that doubles as book cubbies, plant beds and seating—children can literally climb through the space. Above, solar panels power a small-scale aquaponic farm: koi carp in the pond feed the plants, while chickens contribute fertiliser from their coop. The result is part jungle gym, part sustainable classroom and part public library, evangelising hands‑on learning, community and ecological awareness in a truly porous, contextual form.
From high-tech icons to green architecture, Asia's public libraries reflect a growing investment in cultural infrastructure. More than places to borrow books, they are living spaces where communities gather, learn and take a breath from the speed of the modern world. Whether you're a designer, researcher or just someone looking for a quiet corner, these public libraries are worth seeking out.