Merit Award in Open International – Beijing Library by Snøhetta
Project Overview
The Beijing Library is located in Tongzhou District, a designated sub-center of Beijing that is often considered theeastern gateway of the capital. As one of three new major cultural buildings in Tongzhou, the Library furtherestablishes the area as both a vibrant district in itself and an extension of Beijing’s urban fabric. It anchors theneighborhood’s ambitious masterplan and will help to catalyze its transformation from a relatively undeveloped areainto a lively arts and cultural destination. New transit links to Beijing’s center are underway, promising to furtherintegrate Tongzhou with the city and drive visitors to the sub-center.
To reaffirm the library’s relevance in the 21st century and reestablish its role as a vital pillar of public and intellectuallife, the Library is envisioned as a new center for learning, culture, and community. The design emphasizes the book’sphysicality and the act of page-turning as a primary experience within a picturesque setting of hills, trees and theTonghui river. With innovative responses to the historical essence of libraries, the building makes the open exchangeof ideas and human dialogue its core purpose. Throughout, there are dedicated spaces for exhibitions, performances,conferences, and the restoration of ancient books.
The library boasts the world’s largest climatized reading space and China’s largest load-bearing glass system,leveraging innovative technology for enhanced visitor experience and environmental responsibility. Its sustainabledesign has earned China’s GBEL Three Star, the highest attainable sustainability standard in the country, throughefforts to reduce both embodied and operational carbon.
Project History
The team was awarded the Beijing Library in 2018 through an international competition. The project was completedwith local partner ECADI in 2023. The Beijing Library embodies a transformative vision for libraries, reinstating itsrelevance in the digital age and placing the cultivation of human connections at its forefront. As a key culturallandmark in Beijing’s newly established sub-center, the library stands as a contemporary hub for learning, knowledge-sharing, social interaction, and community engagement. At its heart lies a dynamic central forum, where a sculptedinterior landform of stepped terraces creates a versatile communal space for visitors to relax and read.
Project Team
Architect : Christopher Leung
Company : Snøhetta
Associate Architect: Snøhetta
Owner: Snøhetta
