The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) announced yesterday that it chose the Netherlands’ Mecanoo architecture firm’s concept design for the new Macau Central Library.
The bureau made the announcement during a press conference at its headquarters in Praça do Tap Seac.
The bureau announced in September last year that it is using the plot of the former Hotel Estoril next to Praça do Tap Seac for the new Macau Central Library. The bureau had shortlisted four internationally renowned architectural design teams – from Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland – to provide concept designs for the library.
IC Vice President Leong Wai Man said that Mecanoo will be designing the new library because it has been involved in a number of library projects and has experience in building libraries in Asia. She also said that the company is familiar with libraries and its design is “inspiring and multi-functional”.
Leong said that since September last year, the bureau had collected 751 opinions regarding the new central library. She noted that around 50 percent of the opinions are related to the functionality of the library, while 35 percent are about its service and accessibility. Leong said that some hoped that there would be areas for children and adults, adding that some said that they would like to have a light snack and a coffee inside the library.
Leong said that the functionality of the library will match the requirements of a 21st century library. She also said that the bureau had considered building an extra floor of underground parking for the central library to ensure its accessibility. She also said that the bureau and Mecanoo were planning to have a coffee shop inside the library for light snacks and coffee.
IC President Mok Ian Ian said that the bureau estimated the cost of the library project would be 500 million patacas, and hoped that it could be completed by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. She stressed that the project was only at its first stage, adding that the completion time and budget were rough estimates.
Mok also said that the bureau has requested Mecanoo to cooperate with local companies. She added that Mecanoo would decide which local companies to work with. She also noted that due to the novel coronavirus pandemic representatives of the company had not been able to visit Macau in person.
According to Mok, the decision to award the concept design to the Dutch company was made by a number of library specialists, stressing that this library design integrated well with other buildings in Praça do Tap Seac. She pointed out that all four concept designs from the different architecture companies intended to keep the former hotel’s iconic mural. She pointed out that Mecanoo’s decision to move the mural inside would better preserve the artwork. The three other companies had proposed to keep the mosaic mural on the future library’s façade.
The bureau invited Karen Latimer, a library building consultant from the United Kingdom, to comment on Mecanoo’s design. Latimer said that the design was inclusive, open and accessible, and would “seduce every citizen to visit.” She added that she also very much liked the idea of the “journey” from the square (Praça do Tap Seac) to the top reading rooms, transitioning from busy public spaces to quieter study spaces.
Latimer also said that the interior managed to be both exciting and restful at the same time, adding that she applauded the indoor “greenery concept”. She also called the design “future proofed”, and pointed out that the building is not only for the citizens of Macau today, but also for the future.
Another representative of the library specialist group, Wu Jianzhong, described the library in three words – flowing, flexibility and inclusiveness. He said that Mecanoo’s design integrated well with the historical architecture around it yet its design “would not go out of style in the next 20 years.”
Iec Long Firecrackers Factory & art festival
Meanwhile, Leong said that the bureau took over the former Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Taipa last December and was actively preparing the work related to the partial opening plan of the site. She underlined that the bureau aimed to have the area partially open by next year.
Leong said that the bureau will carry out a revitalisation plan on the property by retaining its architectural structures and original layout, including the ponds, waterways, trees and other principal elements. She said the aim was to restore the original appearance of the building in an orderly manner.
Mok later told reporters on the sidelines of the press conference that the project hasn’t a budget yet because it’s still in its brainstorming stage. She also pointed out that the bureau has contacted the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) for more ideas and information about the project.
Moreover, Mok said that the 31st Macau Art Festival (FAM) will be held in May. She said that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic no foreign artists have been invited to the festival. She added that 50 percent of the artists are local, while the remainder are mainlanders. She pointed out that there will be a press conference later this month about the festival.
This is the concept design photo created by the Dutch architecture company Mecanoo, showing the tentative design for the new Macau Central Library. Photos: Cultural Affairs Bureau
Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) Public Library Management Department Chief Loi Chi Pang (from left to right), Vice President Leong Wai Man, President Mok Ian Ian and library specialist group representative Wu Jianzhong announce the design for the new Macau Central Library at a press conference yesterday at the IC headquarters in Largo do Tap Seac yesterday.
