Architecture

Massive library showcases indoor mountains and valleys

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The Beijing City Library measures a massive 75,000 sq m (over 800,000 sq ft)
Yumeng Zhu
The Beijing City Library measures a massive 75,000 sq m (over 800,000 sq ft)
Yumeng Zhu
The Beijing City Library takes the form of a forested landscape in the Chinese capital's Tongzhou District
Yumeng Zhu
The Beijing City Library's glazing is shaded by overhangs and some latticed timber on its exterior
Yumeng Zhu
The Beijing City Library's tree-like columns incorporate rainwater collection systems and solar panels
Yumeng Zhu
The Beijing City Library reaches a height of 16 m (52 ft)
Yumeng Zhu
The Beijing City Library's interior layout is conceived as terraced hills rising from a valley, the layout of which mirrors a nearby river
Yumeng Zhu
The Beijing City Library includes one of the largest book automated storage and retrieval systems in the world, as well as traditional shelving
Yumeng Zhu
The Beijing City Library is hailed as the world's largest climatized reading space by designer Snøhetta
Yumeng Zhu
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Described as the world's largest climatized reading space by architect Snøhetta, the huge Beijing City Library forms an artificial forested landscape within China's capital. The building's interior is conceived as terraced hills and a valley, and is designed to make visitors feel like they're sitting under trees as they read.

The Beijing City Library is located in the burgeoning Tongzhou District and measures 75,000 sq m (over 800,000 sq ft). Structurally, it features a glazed exterior enclosing dozens of columns shaped to resemble ginkgo trees, and a forest canopy-like roof that features skylights. In a neat touch, its interior layout actually follows the course of a nearby river.

"Carved through the center is a meandering pathway called the Valley, which serves as the main circulation artery of the building," explained Snøhetta. "The Valley mirrors the course of the nearby Tonghui river, seamlessly continuing the experience of the landscape beyond and linking the north and south entrances to lead visitors to all other spaces inside.

"The terraced hills rising from the Valley are designed to create a sculpted interior landform that serves as the ground, seating, and shelving – an informal zone with opportunities to relax, talk, or read quietly, all while staying connected to the larger space. Semi-private reading areas and conference rooms are embedded into the hills, while book stacks and table seating are set on long, flat areas atop. This central open area is fully accessible and incorporates one of the largest book Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) in the world."

The Beijing City Library's interior layout is conceived as terraced hills rising from a valley, the layout of which mirrors a nearby river
Yumeng Zhu

We can't really consider such a huge air-conditioned glass building "green," but the Beijing City Library does nonetheless boast significant sustainability features. Snøhetta used modular components and a simple structural grid to reduce manufacturing waste during the build process and its tree-like columns host integrated technology to control interior climate, lighting, and acoustics. They also collect rainwater from the roof to be reused for irrigation.

Additionally, large roof overhangs help mitigate solar gain on the glass facade, while the roof also incorporates integrated photovoltaic panels, reducing its draw on the grid.

We've seen a remarkable number of amazing libraries in China, including the Tianjin Binhai Library, by MVRDV, the Cloudscape of Haikou, by MAD, and the award-winning Pingtan Children Library, by Condition_Lab.

Source: Snøhetta

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3 comments
Nelson
Just another showplace library with little room for books.
aksdad
It's not exactly the quiet, cozy reading space that most people want when they tuck into a book for a few minutes, free of distractions. Nothing says cozy like austere, cushionless benches in a massive space of hard surfaces that echo sneezes, coughs, and hundreds of conversations. It's an interesting, eye-catching spectacle devoid of practicality. Chinese government swings and misses again with form over function; gaudy displays of imperial power and wealth over the real needs of citizens.
ReservoirPup
What an epic waste of resources! Pissing contests among the dictators should take less extravagant forms even for gullible who dream of living on Mars.