14 Literary Structures
From Latticed Libraries to Outdoor Book Rooms:
Meghan Young — Nov 10, 2009 — Art & Design
I have to admit that I'm afraid of the day that technology takes over, resulting in the extinction of library facilities. There are many who probably share this concern and so I have created a cluster of literary structures in the hopes that they will never die. This cluster does, however, give me hope because it seems that designers and architects are still interested in building literary structures around the globe.
14
The Library Hotel in New York City
13
Outdoor Book Rooms
The 24 Hour Library and Community Space in Magdeburg, Germany
12
Converted Church Bookstores
The Boekhandel Seleyz Dominicanen is a Dazzling Literature Display
11
Mercury Drop Architecture
The National Library in Prague is Futuristic Fantastic
10
Futuristic Looped Libraries
Bjarke Ingels Group Wins Competition to Design Astana National Library
9
Latticed Libraries
University of Helsinki City Campus Library by Anttinen Oiva Architects is Swank
8
Striking Bookworm Heavens
Libraries With Stunning Architecture Around the World
7
Modern Libraritecture
TANK Architects Constructs 21st Century Literary Havens
6
Giant Independent Bookstores
Powell'S Color-Coded Rooms and In-Store Maps Defy Big Chains
5
Fancy Bookstores
Motto Berlin Makes Buying Literature a Chic Experience
4
Literature Tribute Architecture
Knut Hamsun Center Pays Homage to the Norwegian Writer
3
Glow-in-the-Dark Libraries
The Exterior of the Aberdeen University Library Responds to Light
2
Ultra Hip Parisian Bookstore
Cool Hang Out
1
Reading Towers
MVRDV Creates 'Book Mountain' For Transparent Literature
Related Ideas
Adaptive Olympic Stadiums
The Brisbane Olympic Stadium Proposal Rethinks Seating and Roof Systems
Modern Public Library Expansions
The Toronto Public Library Has Purchased a New Property
Playful Children's Library Designs
Studio Vapore Creates a Whimsical Children's Library
Luxe Literary-Inspired Tote Bags
Jonathan Anderson Revealed Bold Dior Book Tote Designs
Contemporary Rural Dwellings
StudioAC's South Bay House Reinterprets Rural Canadian Architecture
Climate-Responsive Prefab Homes
The Drop Pod House Adapts to Floods and Unexpected Guests
Circular Clubhouse Structures
Taller Ezequiel Aguilar Martínez Designs the La Pedrera Clubhouse
Shelf-Friendly Book Nook Sets
Yanko Design Spotlights LEGO Sherlock Holmes Book Nook by LEGO
Typographic Play Structures
Icon Climbers Create Playgrounds Where Alphabet Meets Jungle Gym
Shape‑shifting Retreats
This Modular Off‑Grid House Adapts to Natural Sites with Expandable Walls
Nordic Library Book Initiatives
Dawit Isaak Library Celebrated Banned Books Week 2025 with 1984
Accordion-Like Cat Shelter
The FurBallRetreat Cat Shelter Expands from Book-Like Form
Pointy Modular Hospitality Architecture
Roman & Dmytro Seliuk Designs the Futuristic Namety Cabins
Timber Biotech Labs
Sylvia Richards Designs the New Adimab Biotech Facility in New Hampshire
Reimagined Tea Pavilions
The Industrial Wire Mesh Tea House by Moriyuki Ochiai Layers Colored Mesh
Timber-Centric Non-Profit Headquarters
S9 Architecture Designs for The Cleveland Foundation
Architectural Community Spaces
The Street Clubhouse Forms Social Connection Through Open Design
Coastal Timber Retreats
The Casa Guaecá Project Reinterprets Beach House Living Through Structure
Bookless Bookstores
The Audible Story House Features Tiles to Sample Audiobooks
Contemporary Art Libraries
Espace Gabrielle Chanel is a Large Public Art Library in Shanghai
Off-Grid Forest Retreats
The Nest Cabin by Daria Sheina Studio is Made with Stacked Volumes
Barn-Form Family Homes
The Twisted House by Andy Martin Merges Barn Form and Landscape
Brutalist Korea Books
Brutalist Korea Photobook Shows Concrete Architecture Across Seoul and Jeju
Forest Retreat Cabins
The Oculous Cabin by Hayley Pryor Frames Woodland Views with Custom Screens
Rerfeshed Historic Workspaces
Daytrip’s Cloisters Interiors Boasts Modern Furniture Design
Living Landscape Homes
Hedge and Arbour House by Studio Bright Merges Garden and Architecture
Black-Timber Overhanging Roof Buildings
i29 Designs the Senior Shelter in the Netherlands
Architecturally Stunning Cultural Landmarks
OPEN Architecture Designs the Functional Sun Tower
Floating Wetland Bookstore
Xixi Goldmye Bookstore Alters an Abandoned Office into a Reading Space
AR-Powered Library Experiences
Snap and LePub Partner with National Library Board of Singapore
Literary Tourism Innovations
Jane Austen Festival Launches Character Trail Through Bath Streets
Inward-Focused House Architecture
Inverted House Redefines the Boundary Between House and Fence
Wood-Framed Housing Blocks
Common Woods Housing by Space&matter Places Timber at the Core
Feed-Style Reading Platforms
The Holdout Reimagines Reading Using A Social Media–Inspired Format
Organically Printed Homes
The Lib Earth House Showcases Soil-Based 3d Printing Custom Living
3D-Printed Canopy Shelters
3D-Printed Roof at Archaeological Complex of Carmona Protects Old Tombs
Timber Monastery Campuses
Plum Village Buddhist Monastery Forms a Low Rise Religious Complex
Elevated Flood Refuge Homes
The Lift House Reimagines a Red Cottage That Rises with Flood Waters
Dynamic Geometric Library Buildings
fjcstudio Designs the Yellamundie Library Building in Sydney
Compact Public Art Kiosks
The Hiroshima Architecture Exhibition Kiosks Appear as Small Structures
Leaf-Inspired Countryside Homes
The Leaf House Interprets Organic Form Within a Rural Landscape
Modular Workplace Architecture Trends
DualSpace Studio Debuted the Adapatable 'ELIT Office'
Sustainable Educational Architecture Projects
CURA Architekten Presents a Project in Switzerland
Prefab Timber Pods
The Forest Nests Treepod Project Presents Compact Modular Units
Bamboo Forest Structures
This Amazon Rainforest Pavilion Explores Biomimicry in Architectural Form
Tropical Timber Schools
Oceana Innovation Hub School Introduces a Mass Timber Structure
Inversion Living Concepts
The Tiny Getaway Explores Upside-Down Living in Compact Spaces
Adaptive Reuse Offices
Felix Lewis Architects' the Works Repurposes an Industrial Site
Timber Alpine Shelters
Carlo Ratti Associati’s Self-Sufficient Bivouac for 2026 Winter Olympics
Repurposed Concrete Structures
Architecture Research Practice Designed the Tetris House
Protein-Inspired Architecture
Folded Protein Molecule Research & Exhibition Rethinks Structure
Timber Courtyard Houses
Light House by Woonpioniers Reworks Dutch Home with Central Light Void
Adjustable Garden Pavilions
Michael Jantzen’s Interactive Garden Pavilion Uses 30 Hinged Panels
Modular STEM Displays
LEGO Celebrates the Evolution of STEM with an Architectural Set
Innovative Steel Laneway Houses
Weiss Architecture & Urbanism Limited Presents a Striking Project
Minimal Sleek Aluminum Bookstands
Blanked Studios Creates the Industrial Bookstand
Community Wellness Centres
The Apple House by Okra Supports Nature Based Learning
Village-Like Museum Complexes
The Lost Shtetl Jewish Museum is by Lahdelma & Mahlamäki
Compact Shelter Designs
Zodiac Building Accommodation Uses Modular Pods for Flexible Living Space
Modular Bench Systems
Outsiders by lije Studio and Amorf Praxis Rethinks Public Seating
Book-Themed Bar Concepts
Book Bar is an Upcoming Destination for Shopping, Eating & Connecting
Memory Loss Ink-Fading Books
The 4,4,4&2 Book Uses Disappearing Ink to Reflect Dementia’s Mind
Reconfigurable Timber Pavilions
Arkhive is a Pavilion by Students That Uses Reversible Joinery
Angular Wood Bookracks
The Barrow Bookrack by Deniz Aktay Extends a Rectangle into Form
Open-Air Libraries
The IKEA Billyothèque Invites Passersby to Browse, Borrow or Donate Books
Futuristic Cultural Spaces
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts Blends Form with Civic Imagination
Inclusive Media Libraries
Associer Designs the James Baldwin Media Library & the Refugee House
Organic Cliffside Retreats
The Intaaya Retreat by Pablo Luna Studio Draws on Oceanic Forms
Timber Forest Pavilions
Bolster Pavilion by Walden Studio Takes Cues from Protective Seed Pods
Segmented Lightflow Art Pavilions
Marine Tabassum Creates a Capsule in Time Pavilion
Forest-Treetop Retreats
The MORE Cabin Floats 60 Feet Above the Forest on a Single Post
Japanese-Inspired Recycled Pavilions
Second Edition's Love Shack is Made of Recycled Materials
Adaptive Reuse Gallery Projects
Atelier L'abri Design the FOIL Gallery in Montreal
Interactive Architectural Pavilions
The Folding Landscape Pavilion Turns Design into a Living Lens
Architectural Library Furniture
The Herzog & De Meuron Reading Nooks for Own Furniture Tokyo
3d-Printed Pavilion Structures
Superlimão Pavilion Features in Pátio Metrópole
Spiral Multipurpose Village Hubs
Sanjay Puri Architects Present the Nokha Village Community Centre
Layered Amenity Offices
The Bell Tower by Ste Marie Transforms Workplace into Amenity Spaces
Lakeside Modern Art Museums
David Chipperfield Architects Designs the Muzej Lah in Slovenia
Modern School Campuses
Groupe Scolaire Simone Veil by Le Penhuel Associés Expands the Space
Rescue Architecture Concept
Lynx Drone Fortress Envisions Autonomous Mountain Rescue Stations
Community Timber Pavilions
Exeter Road Pavilion Provides a Sheltered Form on Former School Site
Gap-Focused Living Rooms
one-aftr Unveiled The 'Pavilion TEUM' Architectural Concept
Code-Generated Pavilion Structures
THEVERYMANY Designs the Orb Pavilion for Google
Layered Office Blocks
Schieblocks Reimagines Office Typology with a Stacked Urban Campus
Reconfigurable Gathering Spaces
In the Assembly of Lovers Debuts as a Modular Installation
Mycelium-Clad Pavilion Housing
Studio Weave Creates the Intelligent Garden and Building with Cox
Education Architecture Expansions
Rainbow International School Extends with Nature Spatial Design
International Civic Landmarks
Nobel Center by David Chipperfield Architects Will Anchor a Space
Vertical Feline Residences
The Cat Tree House Structures a Home Around Animal Movement
Intimate High-Altitude Cottages
The AltiHut Cottages Expand Mountain Refuge Ecosystem
Light Filtered Glulam Pavilions
The Paviljong Rosendal Explores Light & Shadow Through Wooden Form
thoughtful riverbank installations
LIN architecture explores Ritual, Memory, River, and Time
Living Mycelium Installations
The Flight into Shadow Installation is Aesthetically Pleasing
Stone Building Auditoriums
The Centre De Congrès Fuses Sculpture with Immersive Color and Light
Artful Elevated Timber Treehouses
The Secret Camp by Wiki World Turns a Forest into an Art Gallery
Children-Designed Pavilions
Hi Ladders High Shows How Design Can Shape Inclusive Public Spaces
Stepped Cabin Designs
The Staggered Cabin by Mork-Ulnes Architects Follows the Tahoe Slope
Bright Stacked Box Houses
Light House by Studioninedots Forms a Vertical Family Home
Adaptive Backyard Studios
Love Shack Adapts Reclaimed Materials into a Multifunctional Pavilion
Memory-Grounded School Libraries
The Rahmah Library Reuses Local Materials and Community Input
Wedge-Shaped Stealthy Cottages
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Designs a New Gabled House
Net Zero Research Facilities
Koffler Scientific Reserve Research Building Supports Ecology Studies
Volcanic Visitor Architecture
PLAT ASIA's Volcano In Visitor Center Turn to Surrounding Landscape
Speculative Shelter Builds
Asympta by Leopold Banchini Architects Explores Ancient Landscapes
Typhoon-Resilient Shelters
The Seoul Wing Project is Designed to Withstand Typhoons
Urban Data Landmarks
Spark 761 Ai Data Centre Presents a Transparent Civic Computing Facility
Earth-Brick Cultural Centers
Goethe-Institut Dakar by Kéré Architecture Uses a Courtyard Layout
Serene Waterfront Pavilions
The Lake House Life Experience Pavilion Blends Architecture and Nature
Coastal Terraced Villas
Villa Boë in Indonesia Turns Steep Slope Constraints into Design Advantage
Barn-Style Teaching Buildings
Max Otto Zitzelsberger Joins Students to Create Learning House
Cultural Green Libraries
The Taichung Green Museumbrary by SANAA Weaves Architecture and Nature
Blooming Clustered Art Forms
The Structural Botany Installation Honors Organic Repetition and Form
Interactive Public Pavilions
The Radius Transformation Pavilion Lets Visitors Shape Space
Terraced Light Houses
House Under the Poplars Enhances Spatial Flow Around Natural Landscape
Building-Nestled Compact Cafes
A Triangular Prism Chapel Cafe Creates Calm in Bucharest
Textured Glass Landmarks
Helsinki Design and Architecture Museum Designed as Clear Public Pavilion
Earthened Architecture Pavilions
Khalil Morad El Ghilali & El Mehdi Belyasmine Design a Pavilion
Contemporary Library Designs
JSWD Architects Presents the Brühl City Hall and Library
Immersive Light Exhibits
Spencer Finch Exhibition Maps Time and Place Through Color and Light
Tranquil Reading Seating
Chapters Furniture Collection Rethinks Seating with Reading Forms
Timber Research Hubs
The Anthony Timberlands Center Visualizes a New Heart for Wood Innovation
Archival Performance Spaces
The Take a Bow Centre by O’donnellbrown Reimagines Theater Structures
Lakeside Lab Hub Designs
The Boathouse Zuka Lab Adapts a Heritage Boathouse as a Research HQ
Park Library Museums
The Taichung Green Museumbrary Blends Library and Art Museum in Taiwan
Slender Alley Dwelling Revivals
The Brown House Uses Ecological Materials to Redefine Urban Infill
Modern Foreign Language Schools
Studio Link-Arc's Design is Exemplary for Dense Urban Settings
Sloped Timber Skate Ramps
Rampitecture in Waco is a Pavilion-Like Structure in Texas by Zenga Bros
Grid-Connected Pavilions
Solar Electric Pavilion Powers the Grid and Charges Phones from Its Seats
Slotted Storage Sideboards
The Slot Sideboard by Deniz Aktay Integrates Books into Its Structure
Low-Impact Garden Dwellings
The Senior Shelter Offers a Connected Space for Aging Family Members
Compact Urban Cafes
The Chapel by Vinklu Transforms a Bucharest Lot into a Narrow Coffee Shop
Wave-Inspired Civic Halls
The Sail Congress Centre in Big Normandy Curves into Public Architecture
Container Observation Towers
The Lookout Above Litomyšl now Functions as a Lookout Space
Purpose-Built Accessible Libraries
Alfreton Park School Inaugurates Its New Purpose-Build Library
Structural Data Centres
Stone Clouds by Carl Fredrik Svenstedt Architects Uses Structural Stone
Office Event Initiatives
Little Village Lantern Detroit is a Sound Office Project Designed by OMA
Woodland Arts Pavilions
Julia Manacas Architecte's the Waterhouse-Oyama Fuses Gallery & Forest
Public Pavilion Architecture
Estudio Leonardo Zanatta’s Tess Pavilion Uses Tessellated Geometry
Mobile Reading Pavilions
Es Devlin’s Library of Us Turns a Beach into a Shared Ritual of Reading