TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) presided over a groundbreaking ceremony for the Taipei Public Library and Concert Hall project in Daan District, marking the start of construction on a cultural and educational complex scheduled for completion by the end of 2030.
The American Institute in Taiwan formerly occupied the site. After it relocated to Neihu, the Department of Cultural Affairs proposed using the parcel for a mid-sized concert hall to meet growing demand for performance venues and serve as a resident venue for the Taipei Symphony Orchestra and the Taipei Chinese Orchestra, per a press release.
The project also addresses the Taipei Public Library’s need to incorporate smart technologies and expand digital reading services. Following cross-departmental coordination, the plan evolved into an integrated development combining library and concert hall functions.
According to the Taipei City Government’s Public Works Department, the 2.6-hectare site will feature a twin-building complex with nine floors above ground and three basement levels, totaling approximately 90,779 square meters.
The concert hall will include a 1,500-seat venue, rehearsal spaces, backstage facilities, and administrative offices to support professional performances. The library will offer open- and closed-stack collections, around 3,000 reading seats, and multifunctional exhibition and learning spaces, along with smart borrowing systems and digital archives, per a press release.
The project is designed to meet Taipei’s green building regulations and smart building standards. Building Information Modeling has been incorporated into the design phase to improve coordination and construction management.
Officials said the library and concert hall will operate with separate electromechanical systems to facilitate maintenance, while energy-saving, water-efficient, and rainwater recycling systems will help reduce long-term operational costs.
Structural load standards have been enhanced to accommodate the additional weight of high-density archives. Basement levels will include reinforced waterproofing, drainage, and typhoon resilience measures.
Design features such as setback entrances and separate pedestrian and vehicle flows aim to improve safety and minimize neighborhood impact.
