CaoHeJing Guigu Creative Headquarters, Shanghai
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects’ design for the new CaoHeJing Guigu Creative Headquarters in Shanghai broke ground on Monday 18th September. Developed by government-backed CaoHeJing Hi-Tech Park, the project is aimed as CaoHeJing’s platform for innovation. The new Centre will support and nurture high-tech firms, and connect local and overseas university graduates and enterprises and act as an accelerator for new technology in China.
The project sits on the edge of Shanghai Caohejing Hi-Tech Park, a state level economic and technological development zone covering an area of 14.5 km2 east of downtown Shanghai, and home to some 1200 domestic and overseas hi-tech companies. The project is the Danish architect firm’s third collaboration with CaoHeJing and is expected to complete in 2020.
The new Shanghai East Library breaks ground
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects has also revealed the latest visuals for the new Shanghai East Library marking the project ground breaking. Back in 2016, they won a three-stage international competition to design the new public library that will sit adjacent to Century Park in the east part of the city. The project officially broke ground on Wednesday 27 September. The 115,000m² library, located in Pudong District – the area of the city known for its iconic skyline, will sit immediately next to Century Park -the largest park in the city spread over 140 hectares.
“Creating a building of this size is an enormous challenge,” said Partner Chris Hardie. “The complexity of program spaces required in a new modern library such as this goes far beyond being simply a container for physical books. As we always believe a new modern library should be, we envisage this will become a “living room” for Shanghai’s citizens bringing them new learning and cultural experiences binding them closer to their own city and the world.”
The completed library is expected to be open to the public by the end of 2020.
The project is conceived as a singular monolithic object floating above the tree canopy within the park. The main library volume floats above two pavilions that will house a 1200 seat performance venue, exhibition and events space and a dedicated children’s library, that will all open up towards a series of landscaped courtyards and gardens.
About Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
With 30 years of experience, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects is one of Scandinavia’s most recognized and award-winning architectural practices. Working out of studios located in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Shanghai, they provide skilled architectural services all over the world, with a distinguished track record as designers of international high-profile architecture. They are deeply committed to the Nordic architectural traditions based on democracy, welfare, aesthetics, light, sustainability and social responsibility.
