Shanghai Library East

Shanghai/ China

Size/ 115,000 m²
Competition/ 2016, 1st prize, international competition
Status/ Opening: 2022, September
Client/ Shanghai Library/ Shanghai Pudong Government
Structural Engineer/ Schlaich Bergermann Partner (Shanghai & Stuttgart)
Climate & Environmental Engineer/ Transsolar (Munich)
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer/ Buro Happold (Beijing & London)
Facade Engineer/ Drees & Sommer (Shanghai & Stuttgart)/ DHD (Shanghai)
Local Collaboration Architects/ SIADR
Landscape Design/ Aspect
Lighting Design/ LEOX
Signage Design/ 2 x 4
Photo/ RawVision, Tian FangFang, Chris Hardie

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Shanghai Library East, a new civic landmark and cultural destination in the world’s third most populous city, has opened.

Inspired by Taihu stones, or ancient Chinese scholars’ rocks, Shanghai Library East emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and public art. More than 80% of the building’s space is dedicated to community activity. The new 115,000 m² library is located in Pudong District - the area known for its iconic skyline and sits immediately next to Century Park –the largest park in the city spread over 140 hectares.

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, which will open up towards a series of landscaped courtyards and gardens.

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.

Shanghai East is one of the largest new libraries in the world. Its primary function as a centre of art, culture, and technology-driven learning reflects the modern library’s rapidly changing raison d’être. At the same time, its allusion to classical Chinese scholarship—the building’s form conjures the scholar's rock of the ancient literati—anchors it in tradition. “This important cultural centre for the citizens of Shanghai embraces the idea of ‘collection to connection’—a space to bring people together. It’s the city’s gift to them,” says Chris Hardie, design director for SHL’s Shanghai studio.

Although it houses 4.8 million books, Shanghai East will also host more than 1,200 lectures, seminars, performances, events, and hands-on activities for upward of 4 million visitors annually. This panoply of programs will be facilitated by 115,000 square meters of open, flexible, and interconnected environments.

On the main level, a grand central atrium welcomes guests into a vast yet warm and inviting atmosphere of bamboo, oak, and terrazzo. Overhead, the floors stack and interlock—an architectural strategy to visually connect each of the library’s seven levels. The lower floor serves as an agora, or central plaza, hosting various events, exhibitions, a bookstore, and a café.

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.

From the exterior, the library appears to “float” above two pavilions—one housing a 1,200-seat theatre, exhibition, and events space; the other housing a children’s library with a central courtyard and outdoor play spaces. Atop the pavilions are outdoor landscaped reading rooms with roofs to protect visitors from rain. Visitors enjoy panoramic views of the iconic Shanghai sky-line and Century Park, the city’s largest green space.

Through its aesthetics, functionality, and cultural and ecological ambition, Shanghai Library East will be an accessible canvas for global visitors and local citizens to fill with life and culture.

Local artists were integral to the design process. Ten artists from China and abroad—including Xu Bing, Gu Wenda, Shen Fan, Zheng Chongbin, Emily Floyd, Ni Youyu, Mia Liu, Plumer&Smith and Yang Zhenzhong—created site-specific installations. Curated by the international arts organization UAP (Ur-ban Art Projects), the public artwork program is rooted in the theme “Mediums: The Development of Writing.” The works are intended to inspire readers, encourage communication, and celebrate knowledge.

Shanghai Library East

Shanghai/ China

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.

Through its aesthetics, functionality, and cultural and ecological ambition, Shanghai Library East will be an accessible canvas for global visitors and local citizens to fill with life and culture.

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