In modern urban development, multifunctional public buildings have become increasingly prevalent, and libraries are no exception. The name “Dongtai” holds a history spanning over 800 years in Chinese culture. Situated along the shores of the Yellow Sea, Dongtai boasts a rich cultural heritage and robust economic foundation. The city is dedicated to creating a livable environment that harmoniously blends humanities with natural landscapes.
The Dongtai New Library is located on the west side of Fangong North Road and the south side of Huanghai Road, positioned adjacent to the city’s core and along its main axis. This area represents an important low-density development node within the city. When we assumed responsibility for the project, the library’s structural framework was already established, but the design had evolved over time. The original plans, both in terms of hardware and software, lagged behind the rapid pace of modernization. Despite being a new civic building, it was already in need of renovation and revitalization.
Traditionally, libraries serve as repositories of historical records and centers for cultural heritage, characterized by clearly defined functions. However, responding to contemporary needs, the Dongtai City Government envisions the library as a symbol of urban openness—offering a full spectrum of diverse services centered around reading and fostering a sustainable, low-carbon environment. Our challenge was to transform this library’s heavy, solemn image into a vibrant, inviting public space that resonates with modern users. We aimed to create a striking contrast with the surrounding austere government buildings, introducing a dramatic architectural dialogue. These goals guided our renovation approach.
Our design draws inspiration from the concept of a “book sail,” symbolizing Dongtai’s cultural journey—using books as sails and culture as the beacon guiding its future. A key design objective was to increase transparency on the building’s facade, breaking away from the original closed and serious appearance. By integrating both exterior and interior lighting strategies, we created a more welcoming and open facade that enhances the building’s presence and accessibility to the public.
The facade features a classic three-tiered design composed of transparent glass curtain walls, perforated aluminum panels, and sunshade-lined glass curtain walls spanning the first through fifth floors. These distinct horizontal volumes, with their clean and simple shapes, evoke the image of stacked books within the heart of the city’s architectural complex.
The first floor showcases a modern curtain wall system marked by sleek forms and pure color tones. On the second and third floors, curtain walls composed of perforated aluminum panels envelop the original exterior walls, providing natural light while adding depth and texture to the facade. Carefully controlled perforations introduce a series of dynamic arcs along the street-facing side, enriching the visual experience and metaphorically representing sails and open books.
The upper two floors, the fourth and fifth, consist of glass curtain wall boxes equipped with sunshades. Each evening, as the building lights illuminate, the transparent glass and the subtle glow of the perforated aluminum panels envelop the structure in a sacred aura. Especially given its location within a formal administrative district, this contrast introduces a striking dialogue between the solemn surroundings and the library’s openness. This juxtaposition creates a surreal sense of temporal and spatial displacement, where old and new, lightness and gravity coexist, defining each other through their opposition and forming a symbiotic relationship.
Inside, the “book sail” concept continues, integrated with the building’s structural framework. We designed a dynamic, orderly axis connecting the shared hall, forming a three-dimensional corridor that combines display, experience, and leisure along fluid spatial pathways. This design organically links various areas and creates an active axis extending in all directions, transforming the library from a traditionally grand and formal building into a lively and engaging public environment.
Functionally, the first and second floors introduce a variety of book-related activities, aiming to create a vibrant public space and event venue where visitors have reasons to linger beyond just reading. The first floor seamlessly connects with the outdoor plaza and landscaping, and the transparency between interior and exterior spaces further enhances its public character. Above the third floor, quiet areas are dedicated to reading, research, and immersive learning, creating a clear contrast with the lively spaces below. The “Book Mountain” feature and the external rooftop terrace add layered spatial options and enhance the overall experience.
This project has also led us to reconsider the role of public buildings: to use space and intricate details as tools, to step back from purely functional demands, to foster an inviting atmosphere, and to provide citizens and visitors alike with a freely accessible, comfortable thematic space within the city. This is a place designed to both welcome and restore.
Project Drawings
△ Hand-drawn sketch
△ Hand-drawn sketch
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
△ Fourth floor plan
△ Fifth floor plan and roof plan
△ Curtain wall detail drawing
△ Curtain wall detail drawing
△ Curtain wall detail drawing
△ Curtain wall detail drawing
△ Curtain wall detail drawing
Project Information
Architectural Design: Harmony Architecture
Area: 29,974 square meters
Project Year: 2021
Photography: Ziran Architecture
Manufacturers: Jiangsu Rainbow Aluminum Co., Ltd, Juyi Building Materials Nantong Co., Ltd, Mellow Group Co., Ltd.
Project Leader: Zhang Bin
Project Team: Zhang Bin, Zhang Yuhao, Huang Ruorong, Chen Hanfei, Wen Yuqi, Liu Ye
Design Director: Zhang Yuhao
Detailed Design: Huang Ruorong
Client: Dongtai Municipal People’s Government
Interior Design: Chengdu Xiangshang Space Design Co., Ltd
Landscape Design: Shanghai Wuding Landscape Design Consulting Co., Ltd
Lighting Design: Shanghai Bozong Lighting Design Co., Ltd
Curtain Wall Design: Chongqing Changxia Anji Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Location: Yancheng, China
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