schmidt hammer lassen wins shanghai library competition

it has been revealed that danish firm schmidt hammer lassen architects will design the new shanghai library in china, beating renowned practices including david chipperfield, DPA architects and kengo kuma. situated in the most populous city in the world, the library proposal will match this scale with a 110,000 sqm building located in the pudong district.

image © SHL architects (image above © beauty & the bit)

schmidt hammer lassen’s scheme will complete a trilogy of cultural projects that have rapidly changed the center of the pudong government. the library will visualise as a floating, monolithic volume that emerges from the trees of century park. as well as housing three staggered reading rooms and library services, there will also be a 1,200 seat performance venue, exhibition and events space.

‘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.’

image © doug & wolf

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 minimize solar glare in addition to horizontal louvres – allowing unobstructed panoramic views to the park and city beyond. the project is scheduled to be ready by 2020, with the completed scheme enlivening the district and be an addition to the area known for its iconic skyline.

image © doug & wolf