Dezeen Magazine

The white concrete interior of Wormhole Library

Wormhole Library by MAD nears completion in China

Chinese architecture studio MAD has released construction photos of its sinuous Wormhole Library after the building topped out on Haikou Bay in Hainan.

The photography reveals the coastal library's white-concrete form for the first time, as well as the undulating CNC cut and 3D-printed formwork that was used to create it.

It is slated to open by the spring 2021 and, alongside the library, it will host various public facilities overlooking the South China Sea.

White concrete interiors of Wormhole Library
The building is made of white concrete inside and out

Wormhole Library was first revealed by MAD in August 2020. It forms part of a wider masterplan to rejuvenate public spaces along the Chinese coastline, for which six other pavilions will be built.

According to the Ma Yansong-led studio, the building is designed to evoke "a wormhole that transcends time and space".

A circular skylight
Wormhole Library will feature large circular cut-outs

Once complete, the building will be divided into two zones by a large foyer. On one side will be the library, while the other will be a mixed-use facilities block.

Its white-concrete form will be punctured by large circular cut-outs that frame outward views and filter natural light throughout the building.

White concrete interiors of Wormhole Library
The building has a continuous undulating form

According to MAD, all of the building's electrics and plumbing will be built into the concrete to reduce clutter and to retain focus on its continuous form.

Among its standout features will be a two-storey reading room, positioned at the heart of the library, which will accommodate 10,000 books.

A rooftop terrace will complete the building, alongside a pool and white-sand filled area that will be built at ground level on either side.

A construction photo of a coastal library
Wormhole Library will be complete with a rooftop terrace

"The Wormhole Library allows visitors to read, enjoy views of the sea, and attend open-air performances, temporarily removing themselves from the hustle and bustle of everyday life," said MAD.

"As Haikou's next energetic, popular public space, the library will bring layers of colour and activity to the city."

CNC cut and 3D-printed formwork
It was built using CNC cut and 3D-printed formwork

Wormhole Library was one of the 12 projects that featured in our roundup of architecture to look forward to in 2021. It featured alongside Tadao Ando's revamp of the Bourse de Commerce in France and Little Island by Heatherwick Studio, which is under construction over New York's Hudson River.

Another project slated for completion in China is the Shenzhen East Waste-to-Energy Plant, which Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects is developing with Gottlieb Paludan Architects.

Photography is by Agovision.

More images

CNC cut and 3D-printed formwork
CNC cut and 3D-printed formwork
White concrete facade
White concrete interiors of Wormhole Library
White concrete interiors of Wormhole Library
Portraits of MAD directors
Portraits of MAD directors
Construction photo of a concrete library by MAD