Panyaden International School Library. A circular bamboo structure

The Panyaden International School Library in Hangdong, Thailand, was designed to provide a stimulating, serene, and comfortable atmosphere for teenage students. It offers traditional spaces with tables for reading and studying, but also lounge areas styled more relaxedly, adorned with bean bags and cushions

Designed by Chiangmai Life Architects, the Panyaden International School Library features a circular floor plan with a central skylight facing the sky. The innermost circle, set lower than the floor level, forms the lounge area. Radiating bamboo arches make up the primary shelving for books. These bookshelves divide the circular space into sectors

The library also houses 2 soundproofed study rooms for group sessions and a small office for the librarian. The walls are made of terracotta bricks, and the roof is designed with bamboo in two tiers: the structural bamboo layer which supports the subsequent level without the need for supporting pillars; the second tier is a dome-shaped skylight that provides natural light to the entire underlying library

The library is equipped with a state-of-the-art centralized cooling system that gently blows cold air downwards, eliminating the discomfort of a cold draft. It also features a ventilation system that provides ultra-clean air; by blowing filtered air into the room, it creates a pressure that prevents polluted air from entering even when the entrance door is open. This system continuously supplies oxygenated air, thus creating an optimal environment for studying