NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's most populous municipality has revealed ambitious plans for a landmark cultural institution on its western edge. New Taipei City officials unveiled the architectural design for a second municipal library headquarters in Sanchong District (三重區) on Wednesday, with the Cultural Affairs Department (文化局) announcing the NT$4 billion (approximately US$123 million) project will break ground in 2026 and open to the public in 2031.
The Cultural Affairs Department presented progress updates on the library project during a recent city council meeting. The planned eight-story structure will feature comprehensive reading spaces designed for residents of all ages and aims to address resource imbalances between the city's Xinan and Xinbei regions, two major administrative areas within New Taipei City that have experienced uneven development of cultural facilities.
New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) presented awards to the participating architectural teams while touring a public exhibition of the design proposals. Hou expressed his vision for creating "a library for the new generation with life, technology, and wisdom." The overarching concept for the facility has been described as a "reading living room" for residents of all ages, envisioned as an inclusive, modern space accessible to the entire community.
Following a competitive selection process conducted in 2024, the department awarded the architectural design contract to Jiu-Dian United Architects (九典聯合建築事務所), a prominent Taiwanese firm. Their winning concept features an inviting ground floor plaza with a covered walkway that creates seamless connections to the surrounding neighborhood and adjacent Zhengyi Elementary School (正義國小), integrating the library into the community's daily life. ★
