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CHINATOWN LIBRARY 03
Library For Chinatown In The Heart Of Chicago
The Library serves as the branch between Chicago’s city center and its historic Chinatown as it stands as meeting point between them. The skin, curvilinear on all planes, wraps around the building, only opening up to frame the views to the skyline to the North and Tom Ping Park to the South. It was important to me to create a mass that was its own art form, celebrating the beautiful artwork featured all around the area.
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2021 // SOLO PROJECT
I was inspired by the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, and the balance between the dark and light. I chose to abstract the concept in plan, form and section. Also crucial to the design was accessability for all ages and abilities so that everyone experiences the building the same way. The main book area is a series of ramps arriving at different platforms for different genres, making wayfinding clearer.
Site Analysis
Massing Design
Using the wind patterns to first develop the organic form, the building was then lifted up and cantilevered as to avoid as much site and natural obstruction as possible, and finally the two key structures (the solid support and the light well) were developed.
series of ramps connecting platforms of library shelving and seating areas
FLOOR 04 children’s area study rooms computer lab
FLOOR 03 adult area staff offices computer lab
FLOOR 02 ramped library seating + books cafe
FLOOR 01
Lobby staff offices reception
Views of the children’s area, light well staircase, ramped seating and shelving, observatory tower and cafe seating
