1. Project Background
The project is based at Gaoxin Sixth Senior High School, situated approximately 8 kilometers east of Fuyi District. This rural high school, established in 1956, offers a peaceful learning environment. Since 2018, it has been managed by the High Tech Education Bureau and currently hosts 32 classes with a total of 1,500 boarding students.
In 2020, Samsung Group contributed funding to the Shaanxi Provincial Youth Foundation to support the construction of the school’s first campus library, named the “Zhongnan Book Pavilion,” as part of the Shaanxi Hope Project. Additionally, the Shaanxi Provincial Library donated 15,000 high-quality books and established a free digital resource service station accessible to students and staff.
2. Shaping the Space
The site for the new library was carefully chosen—the garden on the west side of the campus square—to harmonize the building with its natural surroundings. The design compresses the building volume into a rectangular form adjacent to the square. Alongside the western grandstand, it defines a garden of comfortable scale.
The library volume, together with the two teaching buildings located on the east and south sides of the square, encloses a stable and cohesive square space that supports group activities and promotes a positive communal atmosphere.
The building features a distinctive single-slope large roof that creates a dual spatial experience. The roof gently slopes downward to the west, forming a cozy “seated facade” under the eaves that is 2.4 meters high. This 4.2-meter-deep covered area on the west side offers a semi-outdoor reading space overlooking the garden, catering to the diverse needs of teachers and students throughout the day.
3. Openness and Serenity
The architectural design emphasizes two contrasting atmospheres through its “Big Roof” concept and layered spaces. The first floor features transparent glass walls—except for structural columns and a low 0.75-meter-high bookshelf wrapping the space—maximizing visual integration with the surrounding environment.
On the second floor, the large roof creates a quiet, contemplative reading area. Here, partially exposed structural beams contribute to a sense of spatial tension while maintaining a tranquil ambiance.
4. Conclusion
This cost-effective campus library was constructed and became operational within two months thanks to the collaboration of multiple parties. It has quickly become a beloved space for both teachers and students.
Our greatest ambition is to establish more ‘Hope Libraries’ to provide rural children with improved access to public resources and opportunities for learning.
Project Drawings
△ Model Diagram
△ Model Diagram
△ Model Diagram
△ Interior View of the Model
△ Interior View of the Model
△ Location Plan
△ Concept of Place
Concept of Large Roof Diagram
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Section A-A
△ Section B-B
△ Section C-C
Project Details
Architectural Design: Yuan Architecture
Area: 300 square meters
Year: 2021
Photographers: Wu Rui, Wang Maozhen, Liu Yijia, Wang Chen, Li Shaochong
Lead Architects: Wu Rui, Wang Maozhen, Li Shaochong
Design Team: Yang Xiaohan, Liu Yijia, Mou Ziyong, Guo Mingjie, Wang Chen, Hu Yihang
Collaborative Architect: Li Xinghui
Structural Engineer: Bian Zhen
Design Consultants: Ji Nan, Wang Kelly
Clients: Xi’an High Tech Sixth Senior High School, Samsung (China) Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (donation)
Construction Contractor: Xi’an Zhouzheng Industrial Co., Ltd
Location: Xi’an, China
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