With American aid, National Cheng Kung University collaborated with Purdue University to construct this modernist building, which was heavily influenced by minimalism. It features a flat roof and reinforced concrete construction, with "form follows function" principles eschewing elaborate decoration. The reading room facing the street has three floors, with high ceilings for ventilation, large glass windows for natural light, and stairs designed to allow light penetration. The library behind, also of the same height, is designed with five floors for easy access to books, with sunshades to block excessive light and prevent damage to books from overexposure. Adapting form to the building's function, known as "form follows function," is a key characteristic of modernist architecture.
