The design of the Main Library of the NLPI was supervised by architect Pan Ji, with the main design concept derived from the urban texture of the 18th-century canals excavated in Taichung City, focusing on the theme of "horizontal flow." The design attempts to symbolize the "flow of knowledge" with flowing facade folds and winding forms, reminding citizens to "explore a city, read a city."
The architectural form adopts the concept of intersecting and overlapping "Möbius strips" from mathematical theory, echoing the hydrology and landscapes of central Taiwan, showcasing the aesthetic imagery of knowledge flow. It is the first library in Taiwan to be built using streamlined lines. With an L-shaped configuration and dynamic horizontal window bands, the entire building is activated, fully incorporating natural light. Different window levels capture diverse urban views, creating a dialogue between sunlight and shadows, nurturing a sense of respect for knowledge between humans and nature.
The concept of "Outside in-inside out" brings various floor-level window views into the interior, transforming them into themes such as space, furniture, and color systems, integrating green park areas, urban life, and reading environments into one. Starting from a respect for nature, the design conveys the arrival of the "digital reading era" with innovative and poetic architecture.
The NLPI aims to construct a national public library reading and learning service network and promote innovative service models oriented toward public demand. Upholding the mission of common development for national public libraries, it strives to promote various innovative businesses. In addition to collecting, organizing, and preserving various physical and digital library materials, providing people with reading and lifelong learning, it combines physical and virtual service spaces, including spaces for book reading, information retrieval, digital services, exhibitions, lectures, training, etc. It also purchases nation-wide public libraries shared digital resources, aiming to provide readers with age-appropriate, intelligent, and customized services, promoting the achievement of the library's three major tasks: collection (collection and aggregation of resources), use (promotion and convenience of reader access), and cultivation (reader learning and growth). With innovative reading modes, unique exploration paths, diverse recreational functions, and welcoming lifelong learning environments, it becomes a library with REAL (Reading, Exploring, recreAtion, Learning) connotations.
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