MAD Architects have unveiled the organic design of the Wormhole Library, whose construction is underway, bordering the southern sea in Haikou, China. The library acquires its name from the voluptuous concrete curves of the pavilion that appear to form a “wormhole” that transcends time and space. Visitors can read, relish the views of the sea and attend open-air performances in this multifunctional building set away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The Wormhole Library is located in Century Park along the Haikou Bay coastline, facing the sea. The unit is made of white concrete and its organic, curved walls seamlessly merge into the ceiling and the ground. A CNC and 3D printed model had enabled the team, led by Ma Yansong, to cast the structure and ensure accuracy across the curved surfaces. A concrete cavity cleverly hides the MEP services to create a visual consistency across the building.

A 690 sqm reading space dominates the interiors with a cafe, a terrace and storage area for around 10,000 books. A public rest area is furnished with a bicycle parking system, public bathrooms and shower areas. Holes of different sizes allow natural light to flood the interior while welcoming in the fresh breeze from the sea. The grey spaces of the exterior corridors present shady spots for visitors to stop and rest, within the intimately scaled architecture.

Characterised by the local weather conditions, the roof is cantilevered on the exposed side to procure comfortable temperatures. The sustainable and energy-saving building also bears plenty of retractable glass curtain walls and curved sliding doors that improve ventilation, while hauling in sights of the sea.

Haikou, the capital of Hainan province in southeast China, was formerly a major port along the Maritime Silk Road. Now, the city stands as a pivotal area of the Hainan free-trade island initiative. To improve the use of public space along the shore, the local government launched the Haikou Bay rejuvenation plan in 2019, proposing a series of pavilions to dot the coast. Several national and international architects are lined up to embellish the bay area, the Wormhole Library by Beijing-based MAD Architects being the first structure to be completed in 2021.

Project Details

Name: Wormhole Library
Location: Haikou, Hainan Province, China
Year: 2019-2021
Site Area: 4,397 sqm
Building Area: 1,380 sqm
Principle Partners in Charge: Ma Yansong, Dang Qun, Yosuke Hayano
Associate in Charge: Fu Changrui
Design Team: Qiang Siyang, Sun Feifei, Dayie Wu, Shang Li, Alan Rodríguez Carrillo, Xie Qilin
Client: Haikou Tourism & Culture Investment Holding Group
Executive Architect: East China Architecture Design and Research Institute
Façade Consultant: RFR Shanghai
Construction Contractor: Yihuida Shimizu Concrete

(Text by Ankitha Gattupalli, intern at stirworld.com)