Today, the public library must serve as an active community center and as an archive of knowledge that contains quiet spaces for study. The Datong Library embodies this double function in a pair of spaces, a courtyard and an atrium. Arrayed around the courtyard are informal reading rooms, classrooms, a gallery, and an auditorium. The atrium is surrounded by a continuous four storey switchback ramp, lined with bookshelves and study carrels. Tying the stack and reading areas together perceptually, the book ramp is a typological variation on Asplund's Stockholm Library.
The form of the building was computationally parameterized which allowed its essential geometric properties to be retained whenever the precise shape was required to change.This proved to be invaluable for maintaining its coherence during the design development phase since not only did the master plan change, but also the program, owing to numerous negotiations between stakeholders vying to control space within the pre-determined, overall scope.
Location: Datong, China
Client: Datong City Government
Size: 20,000 sq. m.
Schedule: Design, 2009-2010; Construction, 2011-2013
Team: Design Architect: Preston Scott Cohen, Inc., Cambridge, MA;Preston Scott Cohen (Architectural Design); Amit Nemlich (Project Architect) Matthew Allen, Carl D’Apolito-Dworkin, Collin Gardner, Michelle Chang, Juan Jofre, Mary Stuckert, Janna Kauss (Project Assistants)
Design Development and Construction Design: 北京市建筑设计研究院有限公司
Beijing Institute of Architectural Design Co., Ltd
2A2设计所+复杂结构研究院+机电设计所
2A2 Design Department + Complex Structure Research Institute + Mechanical and Electrical Design Department
设计总负责人：米俊仁、李大鹏、聂向东、沈晋京
Architect In Charge: Mi JunRen, Li DaPeng, Nie XiangDong, Shen JinJing
建筑专业负责人：李大鹏、沈晋京
Architecture: Li DaPeng, Shen JinJing
建筑专业设计人：任振华、汪剑柃
Architectural Designer: Ren ZhenHua, Wang JianLing
结构专业负责人：卢清刚
Structure: Lu QingGang
结构专业设计人：杨宁
Structural Designer: Yang Ning
设备专业负责人：张杰、马键
Equipment: Zhang Jie, Ma Jian
设备专业设计人：李志远、潘硕
Equipment Designer: Li ZhiYuan, Pan Shuo
电气专业负责人：贾艳彤、宋立立
Electrical: Jia YanTong, Song LiLi
电气专业设计人：郭宜、段茜
Electrical Designer: Guo Yi, Duan Qian
