△ West facade © Zhao Qiang
Jiashan serves as a model zone for ecological and green integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta. It ranks among the top 100 counties in China in terms of comprehensive strength and is the only nationally recognized “county-level scientific development demonstration site.” From the outset, the Jiashan Library and Museum aimed to become a cultural complex that acts as a vibrant public venue for local residents, enriching the city’s cultural life.
The project site is limited in size, lacking adequate space for outdoor public activities catering to adult visitors. Although an adjacent urban open landscape is planned on the west side, its delayed construction meant that the initial design had to focus within the plot boundaries. Given these constraints, the design centers on a core open space that gathers three building volumes, creating a communal outdoor area that extends the entrance halls of both the library and museum.
△ General layout plan
This central space functions not only as a connector between the two museums and a relaxing square for visitors but also as an outdoor venue for exhibitions, holiday book markets, and a variety of civic events. It embodies the city’s identity as a “knowledge palace and cultural living room.”
△ Perspective of Inner Square © Zhao Qiang
The three building volumes are strategically positioned according to their functions. The museum occupies the southeast corner intersection, featuring a closed facade that presents a clean and iconic city view. The library is situated to the north by the river, benefiting from ample natural light on both its north and south sides. It is shielded from the busy city road by the museum. The open landscape area in the southwest corner serves as a shared space, housing amenities such as a lecture hall and light meal area available to both museums.
△ South facade © Zhao Qiang
△ Street corner city perspective © Zhao Qiang
△ North side facing the river © Zhao Qiang
△ East entrance © Zhao Qiang
△ West side night view © Zhao Qiang
△ Library atrium © Zhao Qiang
△ Library Rest Area © Zhao Qiang
△ Library Reading Room © Zhao Qiang
△ Museum side hall © Zhao Qiang
△ Museum indoor atrium © Zhao Qiang
Located in northern Zhejiang province bordering Shanghai and Jiangsu, Jiashan is characterized by a dense network of waterways and a developed shipping industry. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, its thriving kiln industry produced numerous “Beijing bricks,” earning it the historic title “Town of Thousand Kilns.” This heritage inspired the interior design, which abstracts the traditional brick kiln space into a modern interpretation. This design effort aims to blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, open and private, quiet and public, extending the spatial experience of the building.
View of the inner square from the south entrance © Zhao Qiang
Details of the glass curtain wall in the inner courtyard square © Zhao Qiang
The building’s exterior is minimalist and flat, featuring light-colored stone curtain walls with a textured, voluminous quality. In contrast, the interior facade employs a layered construction technique to create an elegant, brick-red curved surface. This interplay between the simple exterior and intricate interior symbolizes the theme of “hidden treasures” beneath an ordinary surface. The building resembles a pristine jade, revealing its brilliance once cut open, much like the city embraces culture and prosperity — a reflection of the concept “Boku Zhenyao.”
△ Stone curtain wall © Zhao Qiang
Details of stone curtain wall © Zhao Qiang
Design Drawings
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
△ Fourth floor plan
△ Fifth floor plan
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section diagram
Project Information
Project Type: Museum, Library
Location: Jiaxing, China
Architectural Design: Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute
Area: 47,800 m²
Photographer: Zhao Qiang
Manufacturers: Yaopi Glass Group, Marco Polo, Parrot
Architectural Designers: Yang Yidong, Xu Ruofeng, Lin Zaiguo, Zhang Heng, Zhang Pengfei
Structural Engineers: Zhang Mingshan, Xia Liang, Xu Quanbiao
Mechanical and Electrical Engineers: Gong Zengrong, Dong Shaobing, Yang Yi, Yang Guozhong, Huang Zhengjie, Liu Haifeng, Yu Linli, Wang Lei
Curtain Wall Designers: Hang Fei, Yu Hao
Interior Designers: Yang Yidong, Xu Ruofeng, Lin Zaiguo, Luo Jingwei, Zhang Pengfei
Landscape Designer: Xia Jiming
Lighting Designer: Yang Xin
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