●Li Ka-shing opened the new library of Shantou University, with a collection of more than 460,000 books
On June 18, 2009, the new library of Shantou University was completed. The new library has a total construction area of ??approximately 21,000 square meters. The overall design concept is inspired by Chinese thread-bound books. The exterior look and feel reflects the elegant structure of Chinese thread-bound book boxes, while the inner space reveals the spirit of the traditional Chinese academy garden space. idea. Therefore, the final overall design product presents a unique beauty of "a modern interpretation of ancient Chinese knowledge boxes". An authoritative comment even pointed out that Shantou University Library is "the most beautiful university library in Asia."
In the 20th century, university libraries used to be places where heroes were judged based on the number of books they collected, and students were proud to have access to precious hard-cover books and rare books. Obtaining information used to be a sacred thing and the entire process had to be done through the university library. However, the concept of libraries has been changing in the past 20 years, and the electronicization of books has also become a general trend. Ancient book collections have become more of a spiritual symbol. Nowadays, there are more and more channels for obtaining information on the Internet, and the function of libraries that originally required a lot of space to collect books has gradually become weaker. In response to the trend of the times, Shantou University Library has improved and developed on the basis of the traditional library form, hoping to become a broad platform for learning, communication, information inquiry and acquisition, rather than just a simple book collection space.
Of course, this does not mean that Shantou University Library will become a technological park-like architectural product of the digital age. Its inner spirit always has the style and heritage of traditional culture. In my country's architectural tradition, water plays a very important role. Garden architecture, Jiangnan water towns, etc. all skillfully integrate water with architecture. Western books are for standing, while Eastern books are for lying down. Shantou University Library looks like an ancient rare book lying on the water. When it is opened gently, the water It can flow into the opened space and become an interesting space filled with water, air, light, plants and many other physical interweavings. Shantou is located in southern China, and it is very hot in summer. Because of the presence of this pool of water, the indoor temperature of the library can drop by one to two degrees. Similar approaches include the placement of a large bamboo forest in the central part of the library and the clever harvesting of daylight. Such fresh operations make Shantou University Library full of environmentally friendly and energy-saving concepts.
The library is the most important community center in the university, and its internal facilities are also an indispensable part of life for college students. College students who are usually used to chatting online may regain the original joy of face-to-face communication in the library: discussing group assignments, writing papers, organizing club activities, falling in love on desert islands... these are all done during the preliminary design All have been fully considered. They designed 27 small seminar rooms in every corner of the library for 2-12 people to study and discuss together, where students can interact in various forms.
In university libraries, people often stay for a very long time. In daily life, a college student may choose to spend a whole day in the library: reviewing textbooks and looking for what he wants. Borrowing books, surfing the Internet on a laptop, doing research questions, taking a nap... Here, the relationship between people, books, and space becomes closer. The fact that the self-study seats are full every day at least shows that it is a good place for people to linger. The time spent in the library during the four years of college is always unforgettable for us, including the best seat that is only for ourselves. Try to find a seat in Shantou University Library, sit down in a corner with just the right light, and read quietly without being disturbed.