Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch

From the front, this building has the appearance of some kind of giant wooden forest cabin. From the back, it could be the repurposed structure of Noah's Ark. Within this reading sanctuary, book lovers fall into novels and study in the dappled light shimmers from the trees and in the through the library's large windows.

Eco-conscious architects selected only wood and steel to be used as raw materials in the construction of this public space. Taipei's public library in Beitou is a  thing of architectural beauty, built to uphold green principles of sustainable design.

The remarkable angled roof, for example, is specifically designed for the humid Taiwanese climate. This sloping roof protects the building from a build-up of moisture.  Condensation and rain water descend from the roof into water troughs, to be recycled for watering plants or flushing toilets.

The library occupies three levels - one below ground and two above. The floors above ground extend into the natural setting in spacious balconies, allowing readers to relish their surroundings as well as their latest bookshelf selection. In this facility, computers are available for public use, as are the document archives, Chinese-language texts and specially curated book collections.

For some reading and relaxation, the library is easy enough to get to. Take the Taipei metro MRT to Xinbeitou station and follow the signs to the public library. It's uphill, but only a ten minute walk from the station (at a leisurely pace) and the area is particularly pretty.

The library is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30AM until 9:00PM and from 9:00AM until 5:00PM on Sundays and Mondays.