nArchitects’ Library as Home has won first place in the 2016 International Young Architects Design Competition for the 110,000 square meter Shanghai Library East Hall in China. Hosted by the Shanghai Pudong New Area People’s Government, the competition sought out designs that enhance Shanghai’s distinct cultural influence and promote community life.
Library as Home reflects these goals in its design as “a large house for all, with a rich variety of environments that Shanghai’s citizens could appropriate as their own.”
The proposal was further inspired by the connections between people, media, and nature in libraries of the ancient world.
The design features four pairs of open and compact floors, which alternate throughout the building. Open floors will connect the library to nature and the city beyond, while compact floors will store a range of information formats and supporting functions. Environments for social interaction, reading, research, archiving, and public amenities are spread throughout the library.
Exterior gardens create a continuous public interior by connecting the four open levels of the library. These open floors become the library’s and the city’s Patio, Living Room, Atelier, and Study.
Design Team: Eric Bunge, Mimi Hoang (Principals), Albert Figueras (Associate, Project Lead), Wei Wen, Jessica Cheung, You Chia Lai, Thomas Heltzel, David Yukio Kagawa, Kyle Brill.
Learn more about the project here.
News via nArchitects.
