More than just a place to read books and study, the Openbare Bibliotheek, Amsterdam’s central public library, is more like a cultural and learning centre, providing entertainment and leisure activities. The seven-floor building houses not only bookshelves and desks, but also theatres, conference rooms and a restaurant. It is all too easy to spend the entire day reading, watching plays and visiting museum exhibitions, ending the day with a delicious meal.

With semi-circular bookshelves and floor-to-ceiling windows, the library is delightfully open and well-lit. The various rooms are stacked in a terrace-like design, so that they seem to hang over the lower floor like an indoor balcony, creating an atmosphere of dynamism – as if the library is constantly changing shape.