The library at the Zhejiang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages Jinghu Campus is an iconic landmark defined by solemnity, simplicity and elegance.
As it is located within a university and the historic Shaoxing City, all aspects of the library’s interior design are streamlined as much as possible to evoke a strong sense of culture, a memory of time gone by, and a stimulus in the quest for knowledge.
IMAGERY OF PARADISE
The five-storey cylinder-shaped main body of the library is permeated with a golden hue, while the round ceiling above is dotted with lights that resemble stars. The solid grid-like bookshelves lining the walls tower up to the ceiling, reflecting the golden glow and effusing a sense of sacredness.
At the floor level, a cascade of wooden steps is lined with moveable small shelves and cushioned stools that can be combined in varied ways for a comfortable reading experience. This functional and versatile arrangement allows the floor space of the main hall to be used for a wide range of activities.
The walls along the corridor around the main hall carry a wave-like design that depicts the sea of knowledge, adding a certain dimension and dynamic to the space. A reading room embodies the concept of simplicity with its bare concrete walls, with only an array of grey table lamps for a retro touch.
In the periodicals room, a linoleum rubber floor is chosen for its durability and sound-absorbing effect. The linear LED ceiling lighting, arranged in parallel lines with the lighting on the tables, ensure high illuminance that is suitable for reading.
The whole project cost EUR11.7 million, and the building was completed through a one-time pouring of bare concrete.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: Zhejiang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages Jinghu Campus Library
Location: Shaoxing, China
Completion Date: May 2017
Site Area: 50,048 square feet
Gross Floor Area: 203,610 square feet
Number of Rooms/Units: 92
Building Height: 73.8 feet
Client/Owner: Zhejiang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages
Architecture Firm: Beijing Institute of Architectural Design
Principal Architect: Xie Qiang
Interior Design Firm: Zhejiang University of Technology Engineering Design Group Co.,Ltd.
Principal Interior Designer: Lu Weidong
Images: Lu Weidong; Wang Hairong
