The Shanghai Children’s Library New Branch, designed by the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Shanghai China (SIADR), is situated in the Changfeng Business District of Putuo District, adjacent to the Suzhou River and Changfeng Park. This strategic location bridges a vibrant ecological corridor with high-density urban development, offering an opportunity to harmonize architecture with nature and community.
Embracing a bold “bridge” concept, the library’s arched structure elevates the main volume, preserving open ground-level space and allowing the park’s landscape to flow through the site. This design not only maintains the continuity of the surrounding ecological corridor but also creates a welcoming civic space beneath the building for children and families to gather, play, and learn.
The east-west orientation and terraced massing of the building offer expansive views and facilitate human-scale interactions, seamlessly transitioning from the urban environment to the natural landscape. Internally, the library integrates diverse programs—including an AI bookstore, recording studio, puzzle hall, public learning platform, reading zones, and leisure spaces—reflecting a shift from a traditional “library of books” to a “library for people.”
Through its innovative architectural form, community engagement, and ecological sensitivity, the Shanghai Children’s Library New Branch sets a new benchmark for children’s libraries, transforming them into immersive, inclusive spaces where knowledge, nature, and imagination converge.
