Floating Library

美麗寶島的可貴，來自天然生態的地景環境 ; 而建築空間的永恆，便是來自設計思維的情感價值。然而，取得土地資源的珍貴，最終顯化在昂貴的房價上，生在寸土寸金的這個時代，思索著對家宅空間的期待，在追求空靈意境的同時，難免無法盡如人意。毛森江建築師昇華公共設施對社區的表達，「以人為本」作為思考的前提，設想公共空間長遠存在的價值。從直觀而實際的角度出發，他實際地一刀切入時代下的議題，為有限的空間、可能增加變動的成員得到妥善地安排，將公設轉化為每個家庭延伸的一隅，為居家平面騰出更多空間。

The value of Beautiful Formosa—Taiwan stems from its natural ecological landscapes; the permanence of architectural spaces is derived from the emotional value of design thinking. However, the scarcity of land resources is ultimately reflected in high housing prices. Living in an era of expensive housing, one contemplates the expectations for residential spaces. While pursuing a serene ambiance, it's challenging to completely meet all desires. Architect Shen-Chiang Mao elevates the role of public facilities in community expression, with a "people-oriented" approach as the foundation of his thinking, imagining the long-term value of public spaces. From a practical and intuitive perspective, he sharply addresses contemporary issues by effectively organizing limited spaces and accommodating potentially changing family dynamics. He transforms communal facilities into extensions of each household, thereby creating more space in residential layouts.

在偌大挑高7米的門廳中，毛森江以極簡形式闡明最實際的功能，當中的橡木、混凝土和花崗石捕捉陽光停留的每個瞬間。光影垂落，那烙在接待台忽明忽暗的形體稍縱即逝，木質的紋理牽引著牆面上格柵的序列，創作著深、淺、虛和實的純粹。在透過石材的灰階鋪排行走過道的軸線，由外到內的延伸一氣呵成，停留的目光便在遠處創作的石雕藝品。借助了坪頂壓低的形式，給予返家等候電梯的住戶一處沉澱思緒的緩衝空間。另一側則延續了木質的溫潤，架構穿透而獨立的空間多功能而彈性，隨時作為住戶家中聚會的延伸場所。

In the grand lobby, soaring to a height of 7 meters, Shen-Chiang Mao uses minimalist forms to express the most practical functions, with oak, concrete, and granite capturing every fleeting moment of sunlight. Light cascades down, momentarily highlighting the reception desk with alternating shades, while the wooden textures guide the sequence of grilles on the walls, creating a play of depth, lightness, voids, and solidity. Along the corridor paved with grayscale stones, the layout seamlessly extends from the outside in, drawing the gaze towards a distant stone sculpture. The lowered ceiling in the lobby area provides a buffer space for residents waiting for the elevator, a place to gather thoughts. On the other side, the warmth of wood continues, framing a space that is both penetrating and independent, multifunctional and flexible, ready to serve as an extension for gatherings in residents' homes.

萬物生長從零開始，毛森江建築師一步一步地「無中生有」。順應人本對空間的表達，是創造有機會思考、學習和交流的環境。於是，便邀請了藝術家余宗杰為社區創作，將冷硬原石創造出兩個纏繞的圓，剛柔並濟的形體是住戶們討論的話題，除了創造對藝術的啟發，在收取信件之餘，也鼓勵人們能坐下來感受創作，探索對美的見解。而兩面挑高的書牆是培養文化的起點，大量的藏書空間給予住戶一處良好、舒適的閱讀環境，顧及藏書於高處取書的便利，浮空書院就此而生。三層看似騰空的空間，提供住戶們和孩子閱讀、學習的範圍，明晰通透的設計除了增加視覺的互動，也提供彼此相互問候、輕聲交談的機會。

Everything begins from scratch, and architect Shen-Chiang Mao has mastered the art of creating ex nihilo, step by step. He adheres to a human-centered approach to spatial design, crafting environments conducive to thinking, learning, and communicating. Consequently, he invited artist Zong-Jie Yu to create for the community, sculpting two intertwined circles from raw, hard stone. This combination of rigidity and fluidity has become a topic of discussion among residents. Beyond inspiring an appreciation for art, these sculptures also encourage people to sit and engage with their notions of beauty while collecting their mail. The towering book walls on either side serve as cultural incubators, offering residents a vast, comfortable reading environment and considering the convenience of retrieving books from higher shelves, thus giving birth to the Floating Library. This three-story, seemingly floating space provides an area for residents and children to read and learn. It’s clear and transparent design not only enhances visual interaction but also fosters opportunities for mutual greetings and quiet conversations.

毛森江建築師在公設規劃設想了「人」行為的全面性，能否被持續使用尤為重要。閱讀是知識獲取的來源和培養文化的基底，也是提供拓展視野、激發想像的途徑，所及益處極為深遠，在人生的每個階段都不會停止。浮空書院不僅是公設，而是社區每個家庭延伸而出的空間，一處學習、思考、創造的園地，也是推動文化和美學培養的核心。

Architect Shen-Chiang Mao envisioned the comprehensive human behavior in the planning of communal facilities, emphasizing the importance of their sustained use. Reading, as a source of knowledge acquisition and a foundation for cultural cultivation, offers pathways for broadening perspectives and stimulating imagination, with profoundly far-reaching benefits that never cease throughout one’s life. The Floating Library is more than just a communal facility; it is an extension of every family in the community—a place for learning, thinking, and creating, as well as a core for promoting cultural and aesthetic development.

Design Studio | Shen-Chiang Mao architecture studio

Photography | Kuo-Min Lee