Every weekend, hundreds of bookworms flock to Liyuan Library in Jiaojiehe village, a book sanctuary surrounded by chestnut, walnut and peach trees whose branches were used to decorate the building.
The lush environment is what first drew architect Li Xiaodong to the village -- the library has a steel and glass base but its facade is cladded with branches and twigs arranged in vertical rows.
Visitors cross a narrow wooden bridge which leads to a bright and airy space, sunlight seeping in through gaps in the uneven wood, a design feature.
