Project Description
PROVIDED BY RAIC:
The Liyuan Library opened in May 2012, in the hillside village of Jiaojiehe. Architect Li Xiaodong started working with the community before funding was in place in the hopes that a well-designed library would not only improve life in the vil-lage but also boost the local economy by attracting tourists to the scenic area. The library was eventually funded by a rural-development grant from the Lu Qianshou Trust in Hong Kong. The construction budget for the 175-square-metre library was CAD$185,000.
“This project is about the relationship of a building to its surroundings and its role in serving the community, rather than a building as a discrete object,” Mr. Li wrote in his submission statement.
In the two-and-a-half years of its operation, the Liyuan Library has experienced un-expected levels of use and appreciation. A new bus stop has opened close by to accommodate the frequent visits by thousands of people, including local villagers, tourists from the Beijing urban area, and many international visitors as well.