Shanghai Zikawei Library | GRC facade

Situated in the southwest of Shanghai, this new library shares its space with the well-preserved St. Ignatius Cathedral, an exemplary piece of architecture constructed by Jesuit missionaries in the early 1900s in Zikawei.

The Zikawei Library encompasses 18,650 square meters, featuring three above-ground levels and two underground floors, offering nearly 800 reading seats. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect David Chipperfield and Wutopia Lab, the library's architectural fusion with the natural landscape is a testament to the mastery of design and material application. Its concrete structure, from form to maintenance, reflects a mature craftsmanship and technique. The design gracefully softens the building's mass while creating a rhythmic spatial experience.

The library facade is characterized by slender vertical slats that extend from the ground to the top floor, gracefully enshrouding the entire structure, creating a harmonious and unified architectural form. The design team chose GRC material as vertical slats and claddings, with washed stone finishes. All elements were produced by Hui Liao Group and made with Aalborg White cement.

The light beige hue of the entire facade beautifully complements the vibrant red bricks of St. Ignatius Cathedral. Additionally, the library features an external colonnade on the ground floor and loggias on the second and third floors, offering picturesque views of the square and the cathedral.