Beijing Library,
design: Snøhetta
Norwegian studio Snøhetta, known for its research into organic forms and high-quality architecture, has unveiled the design of a library in Beijing's Tongzhou district. The building features the largest air-conditioned reading space in Asia. What's more, the project continues the office's innovative approach to library design, which the firm has been developing for more than 30 years, starting with the realization of the Library of Alexandria in Egypt.
Library in Tongzhou, Beijing - the building's roof supports itself on numerous slender columns
photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
library as a catalyst
Tongzhou's cultural development
The building is located in Tongzhou District, located in the southeastern part of Beijing. The library is part of an urban development plan aimed at transforming Tongzhou into a dynamic center for arts and culture.
Library in Tongzhou, Beijing - the roof is supported by slender columns
photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
the role of the library in the digital age
As the architects point out, a decade ago it would have seemed that libraries would disappear or at best move to digital reality. The Snøhetta studio is redefining their role, presenting an innovative approach to the function of such spaces. The design of the Beijing library emphasizes the material dimension of the book as an object and the importance of the very act of turning pages, creating a space that integrates these traditional experiences with the surrounding environment. The building was inspired by the nearby hills, trees and the Tonghui River, which influenced the shape and character of the library space.
People's love of books has allowed libraries to survive the digital age and discover the new potential they can offer to the city and its residents
- notes Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, co-founder of Snøhetta
Library in Tongzhou, Beijing - a view of an interior nearly 16 meters high
photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
The architects point to the need to rethink the relationship between people, space and books to reinvigorate the experience of reading in an environment free from the influence of electronic devices.
architecture inspired by
prehistoric trees
The lump of the building, which is cuboid in shape and 22 meters high, is almost entirely glazed. The roof is supported by slender columns whose heads expand to form canopies resembling the crowns of g inkgo biloba trees, a species of tree that has been present on Earth for 290 million years. Ginkgo, also found in Poland, is prized for its medicinal properties and distinctive, two-lobed leaves, and is one of the most resilient plants. Symbolizing resilience and strength, these columns underscore the importance of libraries and books, which remain relevant, even in the digital age.
Library in Tongzhou, Beijing - an overhanging portion of the roof to the outside creates an arcade that reduces heat buildup in the building and glass walls
photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
The canopy effectively diffuses natural light, creating a comfortable indoor environment. The glazed block, in the exterior part, has an overhanging part of the roof, creating arcades that reduce the heat build-up of the building and glass walls. The columns are equipped with technologies to regulate temperature, lighting, acoustics and rainwater drainage.
Photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
interior spaciousness
and harmonious connection with the surroundings
The interior of the building is spacious and bright, with a central atrium that the main circulation axis, called "The Valley," references the course of the Tonghui River. The space is enriched by terraces that sculpturally mimic the land formation. "Hills" made of wood-like material serve aesthetic and practical functions - offering places to sit, read and store books.
Library in Tongzhou, Beijing - the canopy effectively diffuses natural light, creating a comfortable environment inside
photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
Bookcases, seats, cabinets and platforms made of homogeneous wood are arranged in the space, creating cohesive furnishings. Glass walls give the impression of a seamless connection between the interior space and the landscape around the building. At the foot of the hilly structures, intimate spaces with wooden tops have been arranged to provide places to sit, read books or work.
Library in Tongzhou, Beijing - the design was inspired by the nearby hills, trees and the Tonghui River
photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
The design elements, which reference the forms of trees, encourage visitors to take breaks as they move around the building, reminiscent of resting under a tree while reading a book.
Library in Tongzhou, Beijing - the columns are equipped with technology to regulate the temperature
photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
environmental standards
and modern technologies
The library has received GBEL Three Star certification, the highest sustainable design award in China. The project reduces carbon emissions and minimizes energy consumption through the use of modular elements, sustainable design and modern technologies. Glazed facades feature special low-emission insulating glass, and photovoltaic panels on the roof produce renewable energy. A rainwater collection and recycling system assists in irrigating plants around the building, creating a complex integrated into the natural environment.
Library in Tongzhou, Beijing - a view of the facility's spacious and bright interior
photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
In addition, the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) for books optimizes the use of space while providing easy access to resources.
Library in Tongzhou, Beijing - column heads expand to form canopies resembling the crowns of ginkgo trees
Photo by Yumeng Zhu © Snøhetta
library - more
than just a place for books
The new library is intended to serve as more than just a storage facility for books - it is to be a place of learning and a cultural center for the local community. It has spaces planned for exhibitions, events and conferences, as well as a department for preserving old prints.
Developed in collaboration with Chinese partner ECADI, the project has gained recognition on the international architectural scene, winning first place in the 2018 competition. In 2024, the development won the Public Library of the Year award from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).
Compiled by Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Snøhetta studios.
