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Library of South University of Science and Technology of China

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China 

Urbanus

ARCHITECTS
Urbanus

LEAD ARCHITCT
Yan Meng, Hui Wang

PROJECT GENERAL MANAGER
Changwen Zhang

CLIENT
Shenzhen Public Works Bureau, South University Of Science And Technology Infrastructure Office

TEAM
Zhiyi Huang, Jun Wang, Lingli Zhu, Shengfen Xie, Jiajia Li, Lansheng Chen, Shuang Liu, Tu Li, Jinbin Wu, Dianbin Yao

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Yilin Lin, Aidi Su

PHOTOGRAPHS
Alex Chan

AREA
10728 M²

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Shenzhen Shi, China

CATEGORY
Library, University

Text description provided by architect.

Nowadays, as books cease to be the primary carrier for the transfer of knowledge, the meaning of “The Library” is also shifting.

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan

Recognizing this, the design not only incorporates the conventional programs of libraries, but also attempts to excavate what is embedded in libraries the public nature that is closely associated with today’s society.

Located at core of the campus, the library features a slightly curved façade, maintaining a humble stance towards its surroundings.

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan

Students and teaching staff who commute between the academic area and the living area on a daily basis will always pass by the library, regardless of which direction they are heading.

Such circulation gives rise to a corridor system that crisscrosses throughout the building, referencing the traditional Cantonese commercial arcade adapted to hot and rainy climates, attracting the public to walk to the inside.

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan

Along the north-south corridor are the public programs, including the main entrance lobby, academic auditorium, association activity room, book bar, and so forth.

The corridor on the second floor extends from the west to the east—it passes by the book bar, skylight, multi-function hall, bamboo garden, reading area, semi-outdoor platform, and then finally ends at the Baishu Garden on the east.

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan

Overlapping circulation allows people to meet and communicate with each other; they can stop by to read or participate in academic activities, which will naturally become a part of their daily life.

These create opportunities for a physical library to become more lively and inviting than a virtual library. On the top floor, 3,800 square meters of clear space serves an open-shelf reading area.

In order to facilitate the role exchange between the modularized book collection area and the reading area, the structural load of this floor is customized for book collection areas; the column span is unified as 8,400*10,800mm.

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan

GRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) was originally specified for the library façade.

With the consideration of façade scale, structural load, sizes of fabricated structural components, local shading requirement, and other factors, the GRC unitized component was designed into a light and high-strength hollow module that had a dimension of 1,800*675*400mm; its hollow core was then filled with insulating materials, with mold release and curing treatment.

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan

Due to various reasons, the client requested the material to be changed before construction. Eventually, silver grey, semi-unitized aluminum modules were assembled together in a staggered fashion.

The aluminum modules were both water-proof and sunlight resistant, and were assembled following the original approach.

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan

For the crisscrossing corridors, orange high-strength fiber cement boards were applied to the ceiling and the wall.

The orange color extends from the outdoor public space to the indoor public area, inviting people at the corridors to enter the building.

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan


Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Open Access Reading Area. Image © Alex Chan


Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Section
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Section
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
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Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
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Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Site map

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Model Of the Corridors


Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
1F Plan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
2F Plan
Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
3F Plan


Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Axonometric Exploded

Library of South University of Science and Technology of China
Axonometric

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