Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects has won an international competition to design the new Shanghai Library, China, proposing a reverse-cascaded monolithic building. Winning a two stage international competition, the practice saw off top international names in the competition starting from Kengo Kuma, David Chipperfield and Dominque Perrault to the prestigious commission after a 6 month two stage process.

Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects envisions an emblematic library drawing attention to its lateral divisions and blurred make-up in Shanghai, which is currently the most populous city in the world with nearly 25 million inhabitants, and has a central library system that dates back to 1847.

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The 110,000 square-metre library, located in Pudong District - the area of the city known for its iconic skyline, will sit immediately next to Century Park - the largest park in the city spread over 1,400000 square meters (140 ha).

The project is conceived as a singular monolithic object floating above the tree canopy within the park. The main library volume floats above two pavilions that will house a 1200 seat performance venue, exhibition and events space and a dedicated children's library, that will all open up towards a series of landscaped courtyards and gardens.

Image © Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

"We see the library as the focal point in a park. A central rock within a city scale Chinese garden", said Chris Hardie, Partner at Schmidt Hammer Lassen. "One of the most compelling things about this project is its location within a parkland setting. You are in the heart of the world's largest city, yet we have the opportunity to create a sanctuary for knowledge and media in the trees."

The project completes a trilogy of cultural projects alongside the Science & Technology Museum and the Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre - all which surround the centre of the Pudong Government - and sit alongside Century Avenue that links Century Park to the Business District that forms the now globally recognisable skyline of Shanghai.

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In 1995, Shanghai Library merged with the Shanghai Institute of Scientific and Technological Information resulting in an advanced and comprehensive public library, the first in China that combines public library services with Scientific and Technological research functions.

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"A modern library is not only a place for the storage and lending of different materials, it is also a place to stay, a place for social interaction and a place to be inspired and surprised", said Morten Schmidt, Partner at Schmidt Hammer Lassen. "The answer to these changes and challenges are what we refer to as a shift from "collection to connection. Libraries are not only passive collections, but vibrant institutions connecting users with knowledge, experiences, innovation and not least their fellow citizens", he added.

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The library itself is organised around a grand central atrium in the form of three staggered reading rooms that open up and connect to various parts of the library and various contextual parts of the city from Century Park to the east, a new library park to the south and the city to the north and west.

Image © Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

The library volume is carved and twisted to reflect the surrounding park and sky, and continuously clad in a facade of clear, insulated and fritted glass. The glass panels are arranged in horizontal bands that are angled to minimise solar glare in addition to horizontal louvres - allowing unobstructed panoramic views to the park and city beyond.

The project is now progressing through Scheme Design, with Detail Design expected to be completed in the first half of 2017. The Library is expected to be completed and ready to open in 2020.

Image © Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Image © Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Image © Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Image © Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Site plan. Image © Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Sketch. Image © Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Project facts

Architect: Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

Client: Shanghai Library

Area: 110,000m2                                                            

Competition: 2016, 1st prize, international competition    

Structural Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann Partner

Climate & Environmental Engineer: Transsolar

Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Buro Happold

Facade Engineer: Drees & Sommer

Local Collaboration Architect: SIADR

Top image © Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

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