Architects: KOKAISTUDIOS
Area: 20,000 m²
Year: 2019
Photography: Weiqi Jin
City: Beijing
Country: China
Tsinghua University’s Law Faculty Library, designed by KOKAISTUDIOS in Beijing, China and serves as a multifunctional space for research, teaching, and administrative activities. Completed in 2019, the building is inspired by traditional Chinese architecture and is organized around a central void, creating a functional and inspiring environment for students and scholars.
In 2014, KOKAISTUDIOS won an international competition to design this library, drawing inspiration from traditional printing blocks, as well as Beijing’s iconic hutongs and courtyards. The structure is defined by a series of voids and stands as a significant architectural addition to the prestigious Tsinghua University campus.
As part of a group of buildings, KOKAISTUDIOS ensured that the new 20,000 m² structure complemented the existing thematic landscape, which features sunken areas and both open and closed walkways. The design concept centers around the theme of “duality,” integrating modern functionality with traditional elements.
The building’s functionality is organized vertically, with more public spaces on the lower levels and private areas on the upper floors. The library has two entrances at different levels. The west entrance, opening onto the ground floor, features a double-height atrium connected to a 450-seat moot court space. The eastern entrance, at the basement level, leads to facilities such as a student center, cafeteria, and multimedia classrooms.
The library itself occupies the three upper floors, requiring greater privacy and quite. Organized around a central void with a three-story atrium topped by a skylight, the spiral layout ensures plentiful natural light. The book stacks are positioned around the central void, with reading and study areas connect the spaces, with light-colored wood creating a calming atmosphere. Desks near large windows offer natural light and views of the campus, promoting a seamless and continuous visitor experience.
The top three floors are reserved for academic offices and seminar rooms. These restricted-access areas are designed to be quite and private, resembling cloisters. Functions on these floors are arranged around a central courtyard, reminiscent of classical Chinese dwellings. A skylight at the center connects these elements, continuing the theme of light and voids.
The exterior of the building mirrors its interior themes with voids and carved-out spaces. The continuous diagonal window on the middle three floors enhances transparency, while the stone cladding resembles vertical strips, evoking classical bamboo scrolls. The design recalls a traditional wood print block, symbolizing the building’s connection to law and order.
The library’s block puzzle-like appearance, with its interconnecting solids and voids, also evokes the labyrinthine hutongs of Beijing and their hidden courtyards. The design continues the thematic use of sunken patios found in the surrounding buildings.
These design elements fulfill the requirements of an academic building, providing spaces for study, research, and quite reflection. As a landmark structure for one of China’s leading institutions, the Tsinghua University Law Faculty library serves and inspires both students and scholars.
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Project Location
Address: Shuangqing Road, Haidian, Beijing 100190, China
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
