In the heart of China’s rural Yanzitou Village, Kong Xiangwei Studio has created a fantastical mushroom-shaped library that doubles as a cultural landmark and a beacon for rural rejuvenation. Designed to combat depopulation and foster intergenerational bonds, the Mushroom Library blends organic architecture with playful symbolism, offering a space where light, nature, and community converge.
A Response to Rural Challenges:-
With only 71 households, Yanzitou Village faces the common plight of rural China: aging residents and youth migration. Yet, weekends bring vitality as children return from town schools, filling the village plaza with energy. The library, situated between two old dwellings under a sprawling raisin tree, serves as both a gateway to a future community center and a symbol of cultural resilience.
Design Inspired by Nature:-
- Fungal Forms: The library’s stalk-like concrete arches and perforated canopy mimic mushrooms native to the surrounding forests.
- Living Integration: Built around an existing raisin tree, the structure allows the tree to grow through a circular roof opening.
- Dynamic Light Play: A roof punctured with holes casts ever-shifting light patterns into the reading room, enhanced by steel rods and multicolored acrylic panels.
Innovative Construction & Materials:-
Collaborating with local artisans, Kong Xiangwei Studio used:
- Ribbed steel bars woven into arched forms, encased in poured concrete.
- Cast-in-place concrete vaults (replacing traditional thatch) for durability and primal shelter aesthetics.
- Timber bookshelves nestled between curved concrete walls, with a sloped seating area for children to lounge and watch sunlight dance.
A Landmark by Day, a UFO by Night:-
From different angles, the library transforms:
- East alley view: The roof resembles a wide hat brim.
- Aerial perspective: It takes on a whimsical, face-like shape.
- At night: When illuminated, it glows like a levitating UFO, becoming a magical village icon.
