Shanghai is the most populous city in the world with almost 25 million inhabitants and the library system of the city dates back to 1847, so the competition to determine the architecture firm that will build the new branch of the Shanghai Library located in one of the most iconic parts of the city saw its share of big names and heavy hitters.
David Chipperfield, Kengo Kuma, and Dominique Perrault were just a few of the architects who vied for the project, but after the six-month-long, two stage competition ended, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects won the opportunity to design the building.
The library, which will be located in Pudong District, is conceived as a monolithic object floating about the tree canopy within Century Park. The main library volume will float above two pavilions that will house a 1,200-seat performance venue, exhibition and events space, and a children’s library.
The architects for the project point to the library’s location within a park as one of the more interesting aspects of the project as it presents an opportunity to “create a sanctuary for knowledge and media in the trees.”
Rendering courtesy of Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects.
The library will feature three staggered reading rooms, arranged around a grand central atrium, that open up and connect to various parts of the library. The main library volume will be clad in a façade of clear, insulated, and fritted glass while the building will be carved and twisted to reflect the surrounding park and sky, according to the Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects. In order to minimize solar glare, the glass panels will be arranged in angled, horizontal bands.
The windows will allow visitors to look out to the east and see panoramic views of Century Park while views to the south will be of the landscaped courtyards and gardens of the new library park. The north and west facing windows will provide views of the city.
The project is currently in the design process with a completion date in 2020.
Rendering courtesy of Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Nov 6, 2023
Top 110 Cultural Facility Architecture Firms for 2023
Populous, Gensler, HGA, DLR Group, and Quinn Evans top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest cultural facilities sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking includes revenue from all cultural building sectors, including concert venues, art galleries, museums, performing arts centers, and public libraries.
Mass Timber | Sep 1, 2023
Community-driven library project brings CLT to La Conner, Wash.
The project, designed by Seattle-based architecture firm BuildingWork, was conceived with the history and culture of the local Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in mind.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023
Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
2023 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
A record 552 AEC firms submitted data for BD+C's 2023 Giants 400 Report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 175 Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, HKS, Perkins&Will, Corgan, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Standards | Jun 26, 2023
New Wi-Fi standard boosts indoor navigation, tracking accuracy in buildings
The recently released Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11az enables more refined and accurate indoor location capabilities. As technology manufacturers incorporate the new standard in various devices, it will enable buildings, including malls, arenas, and stadiums, to provide new wayfinding and tracking features.
Libraries | Mar 26, 2023
An abandoned T.J. Maxx is transformed into a new public library in Cincinnati
What was once an abandoned T.J. Maxx store in a shopping center is now a vibrant, inviting public library. The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library (CHPL) has transformed the ghost store into the new Deer Park Library, designed by GBBN.
Libraries | Feb 26, 2023
A $17 million public library in California replaces one that was damaged in a 2010 earthquake
California’s El Centro community, about two hours east of San Diego, recently opened a new $17 million public library. With design by Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects and engineering services by Latitude 33 Planning & Engineering, the 19,811-sf building replaces the previous library, which was built in the early 1900s, damaged by a 7.2 earthquake that struck Baja California in 2010, and demolished in 2016.
Giants 400 | Feb 9, 2023
New Giants 400 download: Get the complete at-a-glance 2022 Giants 400 rankings in Excel
See how your architecture, engineering, or construction firm stacks up against the nation's AEC Giants. For more than 45 years, the editors of Building Design+Construction have surveyed the largest AEC firms in the U.S./Canada to create the annual Giants 400 report. This year, a record 519 firms participated in the Giants 400 report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Feb 6, 2023
2022 Reconstruction Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. building reconstruction and renovation sector
Gensler, Stantec, IPS, Alfa Tech, STO Building Group, and Turner Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest reconstruction sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2022 Giants 400 Report.
