Shanghai Library East

Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

The Shanghai Library East is a civic landmark and cultural destination. With more than 4 million visitors annually, it serves as a vital hub for art, culture, and technology-driven learning, representing the evolving role of modern libraries. Despite its forward-thinking approach, the library also pays homage to classical Chinese scholarship through its design, which is reminiscent of the scholar’s rock, the Taihu stone, a symbol of ancient literati, thus anchoring the modern building in Chinese history and tradition.