Dongtai Library Complex Renovation Project, Dongtai, China | 2021

Architects: Shanghai ORIA Planning & Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
General Contractor: JSCE
Client: Dongtai Municipal People's Government
Photographers: Schranimage

Additional Credits
Design Team: Zhang Bin, Zhang Yuhao, Huang Ruorong, Chen Hanfei, Wen Yuqi, and Liu Ye
Landscape Architects: Shanghai Wuding Landscape Design & Consulting Co., Ltd.
Lighting Designers: Shanghai Bozong Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Interior Design: Chengdu Xiangshang Space Design Co., Ltd.

The library complex sits on the west side of Fan Highway and the north side of Beihai Road in Dongtai City, with a gross floor area of 29,974.2 square meters. It is a new urban cultural landmark integrating various functions, including free public services, bookstore, retail, catering, lifestyle commerce, art exhibitions, etc. How can the library be transformed from a serious figure to a new, open, and attractive public space for modern society, and how can it highlight the relationship with serious government buildings within the context, thus creating a dramatic effect? These are the initial questions the design team and the client held for the transformation. The architectural form is designed with the concept of a “book sail,” which depicts the imagery of Dongtai City taking books as the sail and culture as the hope to sail to the future.

With five above-ground floors, the building's façade is composed of three sections, which are respectively made of transparent glass curtain walls, hanging perforated aluminum panels, and glass curtain walls attached with shade curtains on the inner side, by means of which three distinct volumes are formed in the horizontal direction. The architectural form is simple and pure, like three books stacked in the city’s built environment. Based on the spatial circulation, a gallery incorporated with exhibition, experience, and recreation functions links all areas, generating a dynamic axis. As a result, the solemnity of the original building is eliminated. The design intends to break the original solemn and enclosed façade image to enhance transparency. Complemented with indoor and exterior lighting, the building façade appears more inclusive and open, which enhances the identity and publicity of the building.

The library mainly accommodates a 24-hour book bar, a cultural and creative bookstore, a children's reading area, and a reading area for the blind to meet the personalized reading needs of different ages and groups. The project, featuring a beautiful facade design, rich cultural and tourism connotations, diversified operations, and functions as well as a comfortable reading experience, has been listed as one of the Top Ten Cultural Tourism Consumption Scenes in Jiangsu Province, and has been named a 'New Urban Cultural Landmark.'