Japanese architectural firm SANAA has completed its largest cultural project to date with the finishing of the Taichung Green Museumbrary in Taiwan. The massive 58,016-square-meter building is scheduled to open to the public in December and will be located in Taichung's central park. The innovative structure combines both an art museum and a city library into one cohesive cultural complex.
The project, developed in collaboration with Taiwanese firm Ricky Liu and Associates, features eight interconnected blocks spread across the site and connected by winding walkways. According to the Tokyo-based studio, the "museumbrary" was specifically designed with the goal of immersing visitors in the surrounding natural landscape while providing multiple cultural experiences under one roof.
True to SANAA's architectural philosophy, the building maximizes transparency through extensive use of glass and metal walls, all wrapped in a distinctive veil of aluminum mesh. This design approach creates an open, accessible feeling that the firm has become known for in their projects worldwide. "We have always hoped to create an open building that many people can easily participate in," the studio explained earlier this year as construction photos were released.
The firm emphasized the educational mission behind combining these two cultural institutions. "Whether it is the museum providing visual learning through art or the library offering education through literature, combining the two to create a new multifaceted learning space is what we believe to be one of the main characteristics of this building," SANAA continued. "We have carefully considered how to gently link the two entities together to create a place that connects learning and communication for people."
The architectural design features blocky volumes that are each raised on columns, creating multiple access routes from all directions around the building. The structure includes an accessible rooftop that offers panoramic views overlooking both the surrounding park and the city skyline, adding another dimension to the visitor experience.
Once operational, the Taichung Public Library component is expected to house more than one million books, making it a significant repository for the region. Meanwhile, the Taichung Art Museum will focus on supporting local Taiwanese artists while also working to connect Taiwan to the broader international art scene, serving as both a showcase for domestic talent and a bridge to global cultural movements.
This completion marks a significant milestone for SANAA, coming in the same year that the studio received major international recognition. The firm made headlines in 2024 after winning the prestigious Royal Gold Medal awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects, one of architecture's highest honors. This achievement places them among an elite group of architects who have received this distinguished recognition.
The Taichung Green Museumbrary joins SANAA's impressive portfolio of landmark cultural buildings, which includes the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York and the Sydney Modern art gallery expansion. These projects demonstrate the firm's consistent approach to creating transparent, accessible cultural spaces that blend seamlessly with their surroundings while serving diverse community needs.
