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ArchitectureNews

A Shallow Pool Sits On Top Of This Modern Library

A modern round library with a shallow rooftop water feature.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

3andwich Design together with He Wei Studio, has completed the Water Drop Library that’s located in Shuangyue Bay Central Park in Huizhou City, China.

A modern round library with a shallow rooftop water feature.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

The building sits on top of a hill, looking out towards the sea, and has been designed as “a white library under a pool of water”.

A modern round library with a shallow rooftop water feature.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

The round design with a bowl-shaped roof allows for a shallow rooftop pool. Guests to the library can follow the hidden path on the north side of the long wall to the small platform in the pool.

Guests to this modern library can access a shallow rooftop water feature.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

A platform in the middle of the pool can be reached through stepping stones that match the water’s surface.

A platform located in the middle of the rooftop pool can be reached through the stepping stones that match with the water surface.
Photography by Jin Weiqi
A rooftop water feature with stepping stones.
Photography by Jin Weiqi
A rooftop water feature with stepping stones.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

Upon entering, guests are welcomed into the reading space, with a bookshelf that wraps around the exterior wall of a dark room, and follows the curves of the building.

Upon entering this library, guests are welcomed into the reading space, that has a bookshelf that wraps around exterior wall of a dark room, and follows the curves of the building.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

Tiered levels act as steps as well as additional seating.

Tiered levels act as steps as well as additional seating.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

Floor-to-ceiling windows follow the curve of the building and provide uninterrupted views of the water.

Floor to ceiling windows follow the curve of this building, and provide uninterrupted views of the water.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

The dark room, which is central to the library, is used for small exhibitions or gatherings.

A round dark room in a library is used for small exhibitions and gatherings.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

There’s also a tea room, designed with tea tables and seats, which can be used for solitude or for talks.

A tea room that's been designed with tea tables and seats, which can be used for solitude or for talks.
Photography by Jin Weiqi

Construction photos provide a glimpse into how the library was built.

Construction photos of a round library.
© Shuangyue Bay Real Estate

Here’s a look at some sketches of the building, as well as other diagrams.

Building sketch of a round library.
Building sketch of a round library.
Architectural diagrams of a round library.
Architectural diagram of a round library.
Architectural diagrams of a round library.
All sketches and diagrams © 3andwich Design
Architectural and interior design: 3andwich Design / He Wei Studio | Principal architects: He Wei, Chen Long | Project architects: Wang Ziyi(architecture), Meng Xiangting(interior) | Design team: Zhou Junjie, Wan Yuexiao, Liu Song, Sang Wanchen, Liu Yong, Zhu Yanming, Yan Ziming(intern) | Structure engineer: Pan Congjian | Landscape design: TOPOS Landscape Architects | Lighting design: Guangzhu International Lighting Design Co. Ltd (Beijing) | Owner: Huizhou Shuangyue Bay Real Estate Investment and Development Co., Ltd. | Owner design management team: Luo Shaochuan, Liu Shaowen, Yu Yanfei, Li Guohao | Owner Engineering Management team: Liu Zhifei, Lin Yonghua

Source: Contemporist