modular timber system frames seaside mobile library traveling across china's fishing villages

"Anchored along the coastline of Yantai's Yangma Island in , Seaside Mobile Library is a prefabricated timber structure designed to circulate between fishing villages, providing access to books, performances, and community activities. Developed by Studio WE (Yutao Chen and Yiwen Gu), the project draws from the island's shipbuilding tradition to explore mobility as a mode of cultural and spatial connection. The structure comprises three units that can be reconfigured to serve multiple functions, including a , an open-air stage, or a seaside ."

"Each module is constructed using locally sourced and prefabricated joinery, balancing structural stability with ease of assembly, disassembly, and transport. Mounted on a mobile base, the modules can be towed along the coastal road, activating various public sites and extending cultural infrastructure to remote areas. Large openings within the design frame views of the sea and facilitate natural ventilation, while outdoor terraces extend the use of space for reading and gathering."

"The timber's natural tone and texture integrate the structure into the coastal landscape, allowing it to blend with its surroundings while accommodating seasonal and community needs. Beyond its function as a library, the project by Studio WE serves as a flexible cultural platform, hosting small-scale performances, reading sessions, and educational programs. It demonstrates an architectural approach centered on lightweight construction, adaptability, and contextual engagement, proposing a model of 'moving public architecture' where culture and community interaction can travel along the coastline."

Prefabricated timber modules travel along Yantai's Yangma Island coastline to bring books, performances, and community activities to fishing villages. Three reconfigurable units can form a library, open-air stage, or seaside venue and mount on a towable base for easy transport and activation of public sites. Locally sourced joinery balances structural stability with rapid assembly, disassembly, and mobility. Large openings frame sea views and enable natural ventilation, while outdoor terraces provide reading and gathering areas. The timber palette integrates with the coastal landscape and supports seasonal community needs, creating a flexible model of moving public architecture.

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