10 Design, Hong Kong
Type:
Library, Media Centre
Client:
Dalian Planning Bureau
Year:
2010
Awards:
International design competition First place
AIA HK Chapter Award 2011 Merit Award
The city of Dalian is actively reshaping the fabric of the city through a series of new public buildings. The Dalian Public Library project was the successful result of an invited international competition, with architects such as Zaha Hadid, Kengo Kuma, and Michael Hopkins being shortlisted.
The library won an AIA Merit Award with jurors' comments as follows: "The jurors found this design engaging and dynamic. The central vortex was described as creating a focal area for an interesting series of spaces for the community. The building section illustrated for the jurors, the attention for both an urban and internal connectivity. The various adjoining spaces spiral inward in celebrating how the library can become a community center for the neighborhood."
The shifting of the mass creates spaces ranging from the intimate spaces for reflection in the courtyard to the dynamic and expansive views offered from the tower volume. The tower volume has a series of internal voids and terraced spaces to further enhance
the variety of spatial conditions and to provide internal connectivity.
A series of retail functions including cafes will help draw a larger audience to the library. A large media centre that shares the central drop-off can be used after hours and function independently.
The mass responds and is shaped by views into the site and outward to the surrounding sea and mountains. A green hill over the media centre forms an outdoor gathering space and amphitheatre and will offer water views to the southern sea.A rooftop café on the tower volume provides panoramic views of the mountains and sea.
The façade of the library is a dark grey brass that will develop a beautiful patina over time. The metal skin will have a natural resistance to the marine conditions and harsh weather. The smaller voids in the building's mass will use an anodized aluminium brass alloy to remain vibrant and colourful as the rest of the building transforms with time.
