Library in the Earth: A Subterranean Literary Haven Rooted in Nature

Words by Yatzer

18 January 2025

Library in the Earth: A Subterranean Literary Haven Rooted in Nature

Words by Yatzer

18 January 2025

Architecture Matters

Chiba, Japan

Nestled within the verdant grounds of KURKKU FIELDS, an organic farm and cultural hub championing sustainable living in Chiba, Japan, the "Library in the Earth" by Tokyo-based architectural practice Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP feels like a glimpse into a futuristic hobbit-land. Built seamlessly into a small hillside thanks to a number of ingenious structural solutions, the library vanishes into the landscape, its lush, cascading lawn blending effortlessly with the surrounding terrain. Conceived as a space for staff and visitors to read in on rainy days, this subterranean retreat offers an immersive experience of tranquillity and communion with nature despite its modest size, embodying a design ethos that not only respects the land but flourishes within it.

An hour’s drive from Tokyo, KURKKU FIELDS is a sprawling haven dedicated to a holistic lifestyle that intertwines organic farming with art and community. This multifaceted site offers spaces for agricultural production, farm-to-table dining, lodgings, and art installations, including works by renowned artists like Yayoi Kusama, alongside opportunities for hands-on farming experiences and communal gatherings. By seamlessly integrating the library into the landscape, the project aligns with KURKKU FIELDS’ mission, namely honouring the land while fostering human creativity and introspection.

A winding wooden path leads through lush greenery to a small entrance nestled among trees under a clear blue sky.

Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A lush, green hillside with a sunken library structure surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky dotted with clouds.

Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

Aerial view of a lush, green landscape featuring a curved path and a round depression, surrounded by diverse foliage and trees. — Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A sunlit, circular library nestled in lush greenery, featuring a grass-covered roof and stone pathways leading into the garden. — Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A winding stone path leads to a library nestled in a grassy mound, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.

Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A modern, eco-friendly building with a grassy roof surrounded by lush greenery and a wooden path leading to its glass entrance.

Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

Eschewing conventional building typologies, the library takes the form of a discreet subterranean cavity that wraps around a cleft-shaped yard which resembles a water droplet from above. In order to create a seamless, integrated space, the architects eschewed the conventional system of beams and columns, opting instead to use cantilevered concrete slabs extending from retaining walls. This structural design allows the library’s interior surfaces—floor, walls, and ceiling—to blend organically, their earthen finishes evoking a sense of unity with the surrounding soil. A lush lawn, planted up to the edges of the structure, cascades down to soften the transitions, ensuring a delicate balance of irrigation and water retention across all seasons.

Aerial view of a lush green landscape with winding paths, trees, and a small pond, showcasing a tranquil, natural setting. — Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A green-roofed building with large glass windows sits in a grassy landscape under a clear blue sky, surrounded by trees. — Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A modern library with large glass windows, showcasing a green courtyard and shelves lined with books inside. — Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A cozy library interior features curved wood shelves filled with books, large windows, and a view of greenery outside. — Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A modern wooden stool with a circular cutout sits in front of a bookshelf filled with colorful books in a cozy reading nook.

Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A curved hallway in a modern library, lined with wooden bookshelves filled with books, featuring large glass windows and natural light.

Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A hand holds a red book, while a glowing, intricate design peeks from behind colorful books on a wooden shelf.

Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

A hand holds a blue book near a narrow window revealing colorful, patterned glass against a textured concrete wall.

Photography by Koji Fujii, TOREAL.

Inside, the library's architecture responds to the natural contours of the land. Ceiling heights vary with the slope, creating intimate, low-ceilinged niches alongside hidden chambers accessible only to children. At the heart of the library lies a reading hall, a womb-like space lined with curved wooden bookshelves that double as structural supports. Crafted from thin, laminated boards, these bookshelves rely on a reciprocal system of vertical frames, where each and every board both supports and is supported by its neighbour, fostering a communal spatial logic. Above, a retractable top light invites natural ventilation while framing a serene view of the sky.

The library also incorporates playful yet meditative features, such as a pinhole top light that transforms a small room into a camera obscura, projecting drifting clouds onto a table. In optimally blending natural phenomena with human-crafted spaces, the project’s ethos, providing a sanctuary that contemplates the wisdom of the earth, has materialised with resounding success.