A new library Located in Shenzhen’s central Futian District, in China, in middle of Xiagmi park, — originally used as an agricultural research center, and now integrated in the urban structure by the sprawl of the city since the 1980s.
Xiangmi Science Library was designed as part of masterplan, proposed by MLA+, the project keeps much of the existing assets but enriches it with more possibilities to experience nature. New landscapes are added that serve as both, a recreational open space, a contribution to climate change mitigation, and an educational field.

The building has big cantilevered metal roofs to shade the library façade and is connected by a treetop walkway to Shenzhen's Xiangmi Park.

International architecture and design firm MLA+ led the design of the library and visitor center, and ZEN landscape architects handled the landscape design.
 

Description of project by MLA+

Xiangmi Park, an undiscovered treasure box

Xiangmi Park is a historic place for Shenzhen standards. Originally used as an agricultural research center it was quickly swallowed by the extension of the city since the 1980s. During 35 years protected from rapid urban growth, the existence of the research facility also preserved a large lychee orchard on a hill, fish ponds, a flower market, many large trees and a palm tree avenue. Located in Shenzhen’s central Futian District, it was an undiscovered treasure box in the middle of a metropolis.

Shenzhen is rapidly improving the quality of life for citizens

This green treasure in the middle of the city had the potential to become a city park for the local community. Urban residents can reconnect to local climate, local flora, and local fauna. It encourages a positive new lifestyle: local, healthy, and aware of the connection and the responsibility of our urban lives for the environment. The masterplan proposed keeps much of the existing assets but enriches it with more possibilities to experience nature. New landscapes are added that serve as both, a recreational open space, a contribution to climate change mitigation, and an educational field.

Contemporary with an eye on traditions

The buildings in the park seek to engage with the nature surrounding them in many different ways. Rather than being an intrusion, they are devices that reveal some of the qualities of the local natural environment. In doing so, they stand in the tradition of classical Chinese garden architecture and at the same time they are activators in a contemporary and accessible new open park.

The library as highlight of the park

MLA+ designed Xiangmi Science Library is a lightweight building, connected to a ‘tree top walk’, a bridge through the park. The steel structure and the all glass façade form the base of the light and airy appeal of the building. Big cantilevers of powder coated metal serve as sun shading and make reference to local vernacular architecture. The program consists of a meeting room, a reading room, the book magazine, a terrace and offices for administration. Public spaces are lifted from the ground to emphasize the experience of nature and to create a vista terrace.

The library also is a public staircase. It serves as a connecting element between the level of the bridge with the ground floor. Perched in between the trees, the building offers an ever-changing experience of its surrounding landscape. This experience varies from floor to floor. With its dematerialized ground floor, it becomes a part of the shaded forest floor. Structural elements blend with the surrounding tree trunks. Upper levels sit in between the dense canopy of leaves and therefore have a more enclosed, intimate feeling. The very top floor offers the views of the surroundings and the city. Experiencing the library is like climbing a tree - a tree of knowledge.

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Architects
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MLA+ (Library and Visitor Center)
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Design Team
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Markus Appenzeller, Pinar Bozoglan, Li Qian, Martin Probst, Brechtje
, Spreeuwers, Magdalena Szczypka, Roland Winkler
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Collaborators
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Landscape design.- ZEN landscape architects
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Client
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People’s government of Futian District, Shenzhen
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Area
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1.500m²
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Dates
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Completion year.- 2017
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Maccreanor Lavington Architects was established in London and Rotterdam in the early nineties by Gerard Maccreanor and Richard Lavington. Their diverse portfolio ranges from individual buildings to large scale urban design, with particular expertise in housing, public buildings and the regeneration of town centres and former industrial zones. They have received numerous awards, most recently an RIBA National Award (2013), the New London Architecture Award (2013) and a Housing Design Award (2013). They also received the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize in 2008 alongside Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Alison Brooks Architects.

Gerard Maccreanor. B.Sc. B.Arch. RIBA. Gerard graduated in 1987 from Bath University and established Maccreanor Lavington Architects in partnership with Richard Lavington in 1992. Gerard has overseen the design and construction of over 2500 residential units, many of which form a part of larger mixed use schemes.

He is the managing principle for a number of large scale urban design projects, including; South Dagenham West; London (38ha), Thameside West, London (63ha) and Barking Riverside (52ha). Gerard has been leading a series of projects in collaboration with KCAP, including; the redevelopment of Bishopsgate Goodsyard, London; (5ha) and the Royals Business Park, London; (21ha).

Gerard is also overseeing a number of infrastructure projects, which include the DLR extension from Beckton to Dagenham in London, a new metro station at Kraaiennest in Amsterdam and a transport interchange in Dagenham, London.

He was a member of the RIBA Competition Advisory Committee (1991-1995), the Europan UK secretariat (1993-1998), assessor for the Arts Council of England Lottery Fund (1994-1996). He was a Jury member for various European competitions like Europan 5 (The Netherlands) and Europan 6 (Spain). Gerard has recently been appointed as a member of the CABE Design Review Panel (2009-2014).

Gerard has taught at many University Schools of Architecture including The Bartlett and Westminster in London, Canterbury, Bath, Belfast, The Technische Universiteit Delft and The School of Architecture, Stockholm.

Richard Lavington. B.Sc. B.Arch. RIBA. Richard graduated in 1987 from Bath University. He established Maccreanor Lavington Architects in 1992 with Gerard Maccreanor. Under his direction the office has gained considerable experience in the design of mixed-use buildings and neighbourhoods and has developed collaborations with a number of other architectural offices on a wide variety of projects.

Richard has led the office's work on many projects, including Accordia in Cambridge, a Church and Community Centre in Salford, the Lux in Hoxton Square, London and a new hotel close to St George's Circus, London and has worked on framework plans for the town centres in both Basildon and Chatham.

He is a member of the Europan UK steering Group, a board member of Design for Homes and has served as a consultant architectural assessor to the Arts Council of England Lottery Fund. He is on the Steering group for the Housing Design Awards, is included on the panel of enablers for CABE and is member of the East of England Design Review Panel. He has also recently accepted an appointment as a member of the panel of design advisors to the LDA.

Until recently, he was also a Studio Leader at the University of Bath where he was responsible for directing the final year Masters studio, along with Sarah Hare and he has previously taught at many other University Schools of Architecture including Cambridge, Nottingham, Canterbury, The Queens University Belfast and the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow.

Gerard Maccreanor . Richard Lavington.

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Published on: August 22, 2018
Cite: "A treetop walk. Xiangmi Park Science Library by MLA+" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/a-treetop-walk-xiangmi-park-science-library-mla> ISSN 1139-6415
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