Book repositories are fantastic places for both children and adults to come and expand their minds and imagination, and these contemporary libraries are making the experience of reading a new book much more alluring.
While libraries are wonderful places where you can stay to read a novel or simply borrow one to take back home, they are often regarded as mundane and visually unattractive structures. These contemporary libraries however, are revolutionizing the way people ordinarily see these buildings by transforming them into unique shapes and modern designs. Featuring all sorts of inventive qualities such as vibrant geometric shapes, futuristic designs and interactive elements, these contemporary libraries are encouraging a whole new generation of people to be more interested in literature and reading.
From pop-up seaside libraries to digital subway concepts, these contemporary structures are showcasing that reading books should certainly not be considered an outdated activity.
66 Contemporary Libraries
From Glass Box Libraries to Eco-Friendly Book Dwellings:
Tana Makmanee — Oct 29, 2013 — Art & Design
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Landscape-Blended Architecture
The 'Liyuan Library' Fuses Nature and Man-Made Structure
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Strung-Up Libraries
The Bloom Bookcase Arranges Reading Materials Along Red Threads
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Literary Feature Walls
Library House Was Designed Around the Necessity for Expansive Book Storage
62
Celebrity Home Libraries
Judy Berman Photographs Libraries of the Rich and Famous
61
Petite Pop-up Libraries
This Tiny Reading Station is Only Big Enough for One
60
Boxy Hilltop Libraries
The A+P House by Bauart Architects is located in Meilen, Switzerland
59
Modern Breezy Wooden Residences
Malcolm Davis Architecture's Wooden Houses are Airy and Bright
58
Innovative Book Shelves
Creative Home Libraries
57
Slide-Dividing Libraries
Korean Architects 'Moon Hoon' Offers a Playful Room to Read Books
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Literary Spaceship Architecture
The Dalian Public Library is Inspired by a Rose Petal
55
Led-Lit Libraries
The Castro Leal Library Uses Diode Lighting
54
Glass Box Libraries
The Bloor/Gladstone Library is an Incredible Use of Glass
53
Divine-Inspired Book Houses
The Laurentius Library Has the Shape and Hue of an Angel's Halo
52
Book-Encasing Pyramids (UPDATE)
The Book Mountain by MVRDV is a Librarian Marvel
51
Showy Red Reading Rooms
The New University Library at the University of Amsterdam
50
Mind-Bending Surrealist Libraries
Avondale Heights Library Offsets Simple Design with Bold Colors
49
Scannable Subway Libraries
The Physical Digital Library in Bucharest Subway Lets Passengers Read
48
Outdoor Book Rooms
The 24 Hour Library and Community Space in Magdeburg, Germany
47
Non-Linear Libraries
The Sacred Heart Primary School Library by Suters Architects is Inventive
46
Digital Subway Libraries
New York Commuters Tap into the Digital Subway Library for Free Reads
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Book-Lending Trucks
The Productora A47 Mobile Library Comes to You
44
Futuristic Looped Libraries
Bjarke Ingels Group Wins Competition to Design Astana National Library
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Eco-Friendly Temporary Libraries
The 'SUTD Library Pavilion' is Recyclable and Modern
42
Green Pop-Up Libraries
Latvia's Story Tower is Made Using Local Wood and Recycled Juice Cartons
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Oblique Boxy Libraries
BookCaseScreenWall Provides a Slanted and Pixelated Display of Publications
40
Tetris-Inspired Libraries
Contertainer is a Health and Learning Center for the Public
39
Crane-Powered Book Repositories
The James B. Hunt Library bookBot is a Robotic Delivery Service
38
Domed Ceiling Bookshelves
The Wade Davis Writing Studio Boasts a Sky-High Library
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Open Air Libraries
This Incredible Karo Architekten Design is a Public Repository Like No Other
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Phone Booth Libraries
Community-Run 24-Hour Micro Library in Somerset
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Latticed Libraries
University of Helsinki City Campus Library by Anttinen Oiva Architects is Swank
34
Bookworm Accommodations
The 'Library Resort' in Koh Samui is Meant for Book-Lovers
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Bookstore-Inspired Libraries
The Almere Library Incorporates Retail Details
32
Outdoor Reading Retreats
Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter Creates the “Read-Nest Cabin”
31
Striking Bookworm Heavens
Libraries With Stunning Architecture Around the World
30
Portable Portuguese Libraries
The Reading Cabin is a Rustic Literary Hideaway
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Sustainable Book Repositories
The 'Winds of Change Library' Blows Away Its Predecessors
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Converted Library Abodes
The Elena Garro Cultural Center Boasts An Inventive Remodel Concept
27
Modern Libraritecture
TANK Architects Constructs 21st Century Literary Havens
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Infinite Virtual 3D Libraries
Google WebGL Bookcase is a Never-Ending Helix of Titles
25
Expansive Wine Libraries
The BvS Wine Traders Shop Archives Spirit Selection
24
Brick-Resembling Libraries
The Katowice Library by HS99 Towers With Academic Grandiosity
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Contemporary Reference Centers
The Alphabet Library by Stephane Hof Looks Like a Big Kitchen
22
Layered Library Concepts
The Ghirardelli Achitetti Concept for Daegu Gosan Unfolds Gradually
21
Organically Frothy Libraries
'Biodigital Processes in Architecture' Promotes Calm Creativity
20
Podlike Literature Buildings
Stockholm Public Library is All About Infinite Space
19
Mini Park Libraries
Fundalectura Creates PPP Program to Give Columbians Access to Books
18
Spherical Repository Abodes
The Oil Silo Home is Designed for a Post-Natural Gas World
17
Pop-Up Seaside Libraries
Matali Crasset's Beach Library Concept Features 300 Titles to Choose From
16
Green-Roofed Repositories
The Ballard Library Will Grow on You
15
Caged Cultural Centers
The Daegu Library is an Encased Sanctuary for Community and Learning
14
Glow-in-the-Dark Libraries
The Exterior of the Aberdeen University Library Responds to Light
13
River Rock Book Repositories
Novel Sustainable Construction at the Villanueva Public Library
12
Suspended Tree Libraries
The Livre Exchange by House Works Promotes Free Access to Reading
11
Stunning Open-Shelved Spaces
Chile's Taltal Public Library is Full of Natural Light
10
Symmetrical Library Hyperphotos
Bibliotheques Ideales by JF Rauzier is Realistically Surreal
9
Mobile Sketchbook Libraries
'The Sketchbook Project' Aims to Lend Art to Others on New Summer Tour
8
Eco-Friendly Book Dwellings
The Battery Park Library by 1100 Architects
7
Reading Towers
MVRDV Creates 'Book Mountain' For Transparent Literature
6
Displaced Outdoor Libraries
Bookyard by Massimo Bartolini Turns a Grassy Field into a Book Store
5
Literary Ecotecture
The UNStudio Waalse Krook Library Will be a Green Haven
4
People-Lending Libraries
The Surrey City Centre Library to Offer 'Living Books' to the Public
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Eco-integrated Libraries
The Alberto Kalach Library Blends Nature and Literature
2
Free Cultural Libraries
UNESCO, Library of Congress, and Others Launch World Digital Library
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Futuristic Eco Libraries
The Waalse Krook Library is a Sleekly Modern and Green Repository
Related Ideas
Ultra-Modern Apartment Designs
No Architects Created a Multi-Functional Modern Apartment
Contemporary Woodland Retreats
Michael Kendrick Architects Creates an Immersive & Idyllic Retreat
Subterranean Japanese Libraries
This Underground Library is Situated Beneath a Sustainable Farm
Modernized Modular LP Players
found/Founded Designs the Controlled Vibrary Digital LP Player
3D-Printed House Neighborhoods
EYRC and Mighty Buildings Develop the Suburbs of the Future
Venetian-Inspired Museum Designs
The Conceptual Floating Glass Museum is AI-Generated
Displaced Persons House Designs
The Essential Homes Research Project Has a Bunker-Like Form
Redesigned Hybrid Offices
Mason Studio Redesigned Its Toronto Office For "The Greater Good"
Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings
Wallflower Architecture + Design Creates the Touching Eden House
Floating Meditative Pavilion Designs
The Crystal Lake Pavilion by Marc Thorpe Design is Tranquil
Secluded Polish Cabin Designs
The Boroteka Cabin from the Zarysy Studio is Enchanting
Smart Glass-Topped Lookouts
These Picturesque Cabins Offer Stunning Views Of the Sky
Twisting Donut-Shaped Bookshelves
The Hullabaloo Bookshelf by Deniz Aktay is Perplexing
Bookshelf Board Games
These Classic Board Games are Disguised as Vintage Books
Public-Oriented Furniture Exhibits
Furnishing Utopia's Jean Lee Displays Furniture for Public Use
Kaleidoscopic Kindergarten Buildings
The Tianshui Kindergarten by SAKO Architects is Whimsical
Tubular Literature Storage Racks
The 'Interspace' Magazine Rack by Deniz Aktay is Multifunctional
Modular Cat Trees
The PETLIBRO INFINITY Cat Tree Supports Comfort, Relaxation & Play
Upcycled Book-Made Marbled Furniture
Willem Zwiers Designs the Tranformed Remnants Series
Community-Centric Headquarters
SPACE10 Embraces Community-Centric Design for Its Headquarters
Minimalist Book Storage Tables
The 'Pocket' Coffee Table by Deniz Aktay is Split Open
Incredibly Modern Lakeside Houses
Stephenson Design Collective Converts an Old Boy Scout Camp
Beautifully Sculptural Concrete Museums
Qatar Museums Unveils Official Images of the Lusail Museum
Comfy Printed Component Chairs
These 3D-Printed Chair Designs are Sustainable and Modern
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Abstract Triangular Side Tables
The Triangle Side Table from SouleWork Holds Books and More
Stunning Mid-Century Coastal Homes
Design Theory Updates a House from the 1960s
Electronic 3D Book Concepts
The bbook Concept is Designed for the Visually Impaired
Plant-Covered Concrete Homes
Studio Symbiosis Designs the Villa KD45 in Delhi with a Terraced Roof
Playfully Designed Family Homes
boq architekti Designs the House for Dorothy in Prague
Contemporary Backyard Pavilions
AMDLD Circle Designs the Cosmo Pavilion for Ethimo
Minimalist Private Office Pods
The Solarlux Soundproof Space by Peter Kuczia Has a Flexible Design
Stunningly Whimsical Playgrounds
XISUI Design Draws Inspiration from Natural Forms Such as Caves
Multi-Generational Houses
AUN Design Studio Designs the Reflection House in Bangkok, Thailand
Transparent Climate Classrooms
Forma Transforms a Century-old Glasshouse in Copenhagen
Sliding Wintery Landscape Bookshelves
This Manhwabang Bookshelf by Jisu Kim is Whimsical
Breathtaking Library Designs
MVRDV Showcases Its Plan for a Massive Wuhan Library
Pared-Back Coffee Interiors
Keiji Ashizawa Has Ccreted a Minimalist Blue Bottle Coffee Shop
Modernist Library Interiors
Superkül Renovates a Reading Room at Robarts Library
Vibrant Multi-Level Office Designs
Gensler Reimagines the Accenture Office Space in Chicago
Bookshelf-Incorporated Coffee Tables
The Overlap Table by Deniz Atkay Boasts Multiple Purposes
Lush Surroundings Glass Homes
Room 11 Designs the Glass House in Koonya Overlooking the Bay
Curved Concrete Hotels
Atelier d’More Transforms a Two-storey Building into a Contemporary Hotel
Nature-Inspired Indoor Playgrounds
Sarit Shani Hay Designs a New Playground in Tel Aviv
Urban Structural Street Furniture
BLUE Architecture Studio Designs the Symbiotic Urban Furniture
Comfort-Enhancing Office Spaces
Ester Bruzkus Architekten Designs the Relaxound Office
Energy-Efficient Office Buildings
This Czech Office Complex is Outfitted With Eco-Friendly Designs
Playful Public Seating Designs
The London Festival of Architecture Boasts a Series of Seats
Avant-Garde Coffee Table Books
New Society Hosts 'Decentralization, Please Save Culture' Event
Interlocking Living Room Furniture
Mirlay Özlem ER's The Cube is Elegant and Space-Saving
Vibrant Adaptable Workplaces
Ester Bruzkus Architekten Designs a Modern Workspace for Relaxound
Red Brick Music Schools
Colectivo C733's Music School Design is Captivating and Stunning
Chic Modern-Industrial Buildings
YN Studio Designs a Slick Facade in Gillett Square
Bookstore Wine Shops
New York's Bibliotheque Offers Rare Books and Great Wine
Blocky Children's Museums
UNStudio Showcases Its Design for the Children's Museum of Qatar
Modular Modern Wooden Bookshelves
Kengo Kuma Designs the Marumarushikaku Shelf for More Trees
Toy Block-Inspired Wooden Bookshelves
Waiting Woood Designs the New Rotating Picture Book Rack
Copper Shell-Enclosed Museums
Wutoqpia Lab Designs the Copper Blockhouse Space in China
Micro-City Housing Nooks
Notan Office Transforms an Industrial Site in Brussels
Repurposed Brick Public Furniture
Akasaki Vanhuyse's FLOAT Bench is Intriguing & Eco-Friendly
Transformed Historic Bank Buildings
Ivy Studio Overhauls the Interior of a Historic Building
Bamboo-Inspired Cultural Buildings
This Cultural Center Seamlessly Blends Into its Surroundings
Vaulted Glass Structure Additions
A Vaulted Roof is Added to the Domino Sugar Refinery
Rejuvenated Former Bank Buildings
This Dutch Building Now Boasts Solar Panels & Insect Hotels
Monolithic Concrete-Clad Pavilions
Alberto Campo Baeza Collaborated with Miguel Quismondo
Toy Brick-Inspired Studios
Sukchulmok Designs the Curving Block Photography Studio
Book Vending Machines
This Book Vending Machine Inspires Readers at Exeter St Davids Station
Subterranean Courtyard Galleries
Buzz Designs the Hermit Space Yards in Beijing Park
Book-Shaped Transparent Bookmarks
TENT Unveils the Uniquely Shaped Book on Book Bookmark
Greenery-Packed Museum Buildings
This Science Museum is Designed Around a Central Park
Community-Centric Office Spaces
Shubin Donaldson Architects Designs the Tricon Residential Office
Futuristic Vibrant London Apartments
2LG Studio Designs a Vibrant Apartment in East London
Library-Converted Modern Sheds
The Act of Quad Creates the Light Box in Mumbai, India
Women's Literature-Inspired Skincare Stores
Aesop Boasts a Women's Literature Library
Viewing Box Cultural Centers
The Center for Arts & Innovation Hosts Events and Education Spaces
Rustic Ruin-Inspired Aquariums
Tatiana Bilbao Estudio Designs The Sea of Cortez Research Center
Banned Book Clubs
The DPLA's Banned Book Club Challenges Censorship
Mass-Timber Children's Museums
O'Neill McVoy Architects Designs the Bronx Children's Museum
Gallery-Like Minimal Home Designs
Daytrip Completes the Interior Design of a Home in North London
Contemporary Modern Artful Homes
Clara Lleal INTERIORISTA Designs the Art Gallery House
Tea-Honoring Angular Libraries
Atelier Xi Designs the Interconnected Library and Tea Rooms
Dynamic Geometric Bookshelves
Maryam Pousti Designs the Cheft Bookshelf Under Studio Pousti
Block Puzzled Book Nooks
The LEGO Book Nook is a Novelty Miniature Buildable Diorama
Minimalist Bird-Watching Pavilions
Jesús Vassall & Graduate Students Designed a Slick Pavilion
Optical Illusion Replica Artworks
Leandro Erlich Forms the Building in the Liberty Science Center
Greenery-Sheathed Libraries
This Library Building Features Generous Plantings Of Native Species
Generously Glazed Spiral Buildings
This Building is Inspired By Czech Glassmaking Tradition
Digital Architecture Libraries
My ArchiSchool is Launching a New Resource in Summer 2023
Crystalline Chinese Museum Buildings
The 'Space Crystal' Building Looks Like An Otherworldly Rock
AI-Generated Bookstores
BookBud.ai Launched a First-of-Its-Kind Bookstore and Library Hybrid
Comprehensive Gallery Renovations
Carmody Groarke Releases Plans for the Dulwich Picture Gallery
Boxy Shaped Beach Homes
Roman Izquierdo Bouldstridge Designs a New Beach House in Spain
Energy-Efficient Museum Complexes
This Museum Uses Innovative Design to Curb Energy Consumption
Wave-Like Structural Art Centers
Studio Zhu-Pei Designs the Zibo OCT Art Center in Shandong
Live-In Art Gallery Homes
Casa Galeria is a Home That Doubles as an Art Gallery
Sculptural Canteliver Concrete Houses
Espacio 18 Arquitectura Designs the Casa del Alma
Boat-Inspired Community Center
Snøhetta & WERK Architecture Design the Esbjerg Maritime Center
Book Pile Retail Decor
A London Aesop Store Gets a New Decor Definition by Sebastian Cox
Elevated Garden-Filled Buildings
Snøhetta Designs the New Cloud 11 Building in Bangkok
Minimalist Circular Churches
ARQBR Completes a Circular Church in Braslia, Brazil
Solo Flexible Study Spaces
YounghanChung Architects Designs the Tiny Forest Study Space
Expansive School Bamboo Canopies
CollectiveProject Creates a Canopy at Talaricheruvu Rural School
Cave-Like Discovery-Themed Centers
Studio Gang Designs the Gilder Center in Manhattan
Geometric African Homes
Gregory Katz Architecture Designs the Great Primary Shapes Home
Sustainable Cubic Homes
Appels Architekten Designs a New Wooden Home in Germany
Personality-Enhancing Side Tables
The ORDO Book Side Table Features Organized Nooks
Sustainably Crafted Pavilions
Shigeru Ban Introduces the Paper Log House in the Glass House
Reimagined Hybrid Workspace Designs
Mason Studio Redesigned its Offices in Toronto
Red Concrete Exhibition Centers
Mix Architecture Designs the Red Box Exhibition Center
Arched Concrete Community Centers
Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica Designs a New Center
Modern Deco Office Designs
Reflect Architecture Designs the NewGen Office with Contemporary Detail
Latticed-Steel Transport Hub Columns
Tremend Designs the Metropolitan Station in Lublin
Musical-Themed Kinetic Structures
Daily tous les jours Designs the Daydreamer Structure
Modern Museum Versatile Cafes
Tate Modern Unveils a Corner Cafe Designed by Holland Harvey
Lighthouse-Functioning Concrete Structures
Lin Architecture Creates the Concrete Pavilion in China
Scientific Communal Museums
Stefano Boeri Architetti Designs the Museum of Technology in Xi'an
Tree-Like Library Spaces
Studio Hinge Presents the Forest of Knowledge Library Design
Large Concrete Educational Buildings
Stanton Williams Introduces the UCL East Marshgate Building
Modern Digitized Bookshelves
September is a Digital Bookshelf Where You Can Display Achievements
Sculptural Museum Expansions
Diller Scofidio + Renfro Unveil Images of the Broad's Expansion
Contemporary Art Puzzle Sets
LEGO's Modern Art Building Set is a Great Buildable Decor
Mindful Study Spaces
Chaoffice Embraces Zen-Inspired Design Sensibilities in House Under the Boat
Climate-Friendly Waterfront Homes
From 4 to 1 Creates Three Pavilions in Copenhagen
Revamped Modern Phone Booths
100architects Brings Digital Touches to the Classic Phone Booth
City-Honoring Furniture Projects
The Symbiotic Urban Furniture Project is Imaginative
Generational-Lasting Dynamic Playgrounds
Mike Hewson Designs a New Public Playground with Boulders
Multifunctional Cross-Disciplinary Buildings
The BLOX Building in Represents Joint Thinking
Illuminating Water-Based Pavillions
Daniel Ryabakken Installs the Shelter Pavilion in Stockholm
Industrial Warehouse-Inspired Offices
Carr Designs a New Office Block with Industrial Themes
Eco-Friendly Antarctic Research Buildings
The 'Discovery Building' Aims to Cut Carbon Emissions
Nomadic Community-Themed Pavilions
Joar Nango Designs Girjegumpi: The Sámi Architecture Library
Childhood-Inspired Generational Homes
AUN Design Studio Creates the New Reflection House
Barrel Vault-Topped Metro Stations
KA Architecture Studio Designs the Jahad Metro Plaza
Amsterdam-Honoring Dynamic Workspaces
UN Studio Designs the New Headquarters for Booking.com
Book-Filled Mezzanine Lofts
Crystal Sinclair Designs Designs the Dumbo loft in Brooklyn
Metal Sheet-Facade Book Stores
Wutopia Labs Designs the Shanghai Book City with a Dynamic Facade
Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings
Civic Architects & VDNVP Elevate a Series of Workspaces
Reimagined Traditional Library Ladders
The Step by Step Ladder Offers a Refreshing New Design Take
Architectural Tranquil Cabin Retreats
Snøhetta Designs the Bolder Lodges in Lysefjord
Former President-Honoring Libraries
Atelier Masōmī Introdues a Library in Monrovia