tianjin binhai library case study

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The Tianjin Binhai Library by MVRDV: Fusing Culture & Architecture

Completed in 2017, the Tianjin Binhai Library stands as an architectural epitome of innovation, brought to life through the collective brilliance of MVRDV and the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI). Nestled in the heart of Tianjin, this 33,700 square meters cultural center serves as more than a library – it is a dynamic social space, an education hub, and a critical connector from the park to the city’s cultural district.

Tianjin Binhai Library Technical Information

• Architects: MVRDV
• Location: Tianjin, China
• Topics: Libraries , Organic Shapes
• Area: 33,700 m 2 | 362,548 ft 2
• Project Year: 2015 – 2017
• Photographs: © Ossip van Duivenbode

The library is MVRDV’s most rapid fast track project to date. It took just three years from the first sketch to the opening. – MVRDV team

Tianjin Binhai Library Photographs

Beyond Books: Tianjin Binhai Library as a Social Connector

Text by the Architects

The 33,700m 2 cultural center features a luminous spherical auditorium and floor-to-ceiling cascading bookcases as not only an education center but also a social space and connector from the park into the cultural district.

An oval opening punctured through the building is propped open by “the Eye “, a luminous sphere with an auditorium, which takes the main stage within the atrium and enlarges the perceived space within. Terraced bookshelves, which echo the form of the sphere, create an interior, topographical landscape whose contours reach out and wrap around the façade. In this way, the stepped bookshelves within are represented on the outside, with each level doubling up as a louver.

The futuristic library sits within a sheltered gallery, topped with cathedral-like vaulted arches, which winds its way throughout the scheme. MVRDV’s project is surrounded by four other cultural buildings designed by an international team of architects, including Bernard Tschumi Architects and Bing Thom Architects.

The five-level building also contains extensive educational facilities, arrayed along the edges of the interior and accessible through the main atrium space. The public program is supported by subterranean service spaces, book storage, and a large archive. From the ground floor, visitors can easily access reading areas for children and the elderly, the auditorium, the main entrance, terraced access to the floors above, and connection to the cultural complex. The first and second floors consist primarily of reading rooms, books, and lounge areas whilst the upper floors also include meeting rooms, offices, computer and audio rooms, and two rooftop patios. 

Tianjin Library is part of German architects GMP’s 120,000m 2 masterplan , which aims to accentuate the characteristics of the surrounding districts. Through its design, the complex will become a junction point for the CBD, old town, residential districts, commercial areas, and the government quarter, hoping to compensate for any missing program in each. The library’s outer volume was given in the master plan, so the Eye and its surrounding semi-public area are an internal space, like an inverted icon, acting as a central point and folly in the building.

The library is MVRDV’s most rapid, fast-track project to date. It took just three years from the first sketch to the opening. Due to the given completion date, site excavation immediately followed the design phase. The tight construction schedule forced one essential part of the concept to be dropped: access to the upper bookshelves from rooms placed behind the atrium. This change was made locally and against MVRDV’s advice and rendered access to the upper shelves currently impossible. The full vision for the library may be realized in the future, but until then, perforated aluminum plates printed to represent books on the upper shelves. Cleaning is done via ropes and movable scaffolding.

Tianjin Binhai Library Plans

Tianjin Binhai Library Image Gallery

About MVRDV

MVRDV is an internationally renowned architecture and urban design practice headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Founded in 1993 by Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, and Nathalie de Vries, the firm is lauded for its innovative, research-based design approach that seeks to address contemporary urban living issues. MVRDV’s work encompasses a diverse range of projects, including buildings of various types and sizes, urban plans, research, and products. Known for pushing architectural norms and proposing novel solutions, their portfolio boasts high-profile projects such as the Markthal in Rotterdam, the Tianjin Binhai Library in China, and the Wozoco apartments in Amsterdam.

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Tianjin Binhai Library | MVRDV

Information

• Project Name: Tianjin Binhai Library
• Practice: MVRDV
• Completion year: 2017
• Gross Built up Area: 33,700 sqm
• Project Location: Tianyuan Street
• Country: China
• Lead Architects/Designer: Winy Maas
• Design Team: Maria López Calleja, Kyo Suk Lee, Sen Yang, Marta Pozo, Chi Li Ray Zhu, Angel Sanchez Navarro, Daehee Suk, Guang Ruey Tan Xichen Sun, Michael Zhang, Mariya Gyaurova, Winy Maas, Antonio Luca Coco, Constanza Cuccato, Matteo Artico, Tomaso Maschietti
• Photo Credits: Ossip van Duivenbode
• Others: Concept Design: Renske van der Stoep, Martine Vledder, Kyo Suk Lee, Gerard Heerink, Chi Li, Francisco Pomares, Nicolas Lee, Claudia Bode, Sharon Ship, Jaap Baselmans, Herman Gaarman, Hui Hsin Liao, Antonio Luca Coco, Constanza Cuccato, Matteo Artico, Tomaso Maschietti, Lighting designer: Huayi Jianyuan lighting design

Excerpt: Tianjin Binhai Library is an architectural project designed by MVRDV in China. The five-level building contains diverse educational facilities, arrayed along the edges of the interior and accessed through the main atrium space. The public program is supported by subterranean service spaces, a book storage, and a large archive.

Project Description

[Text as submitted by architect] MVRDV and Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI) have completed Tianjin Binhai Library as part of a larger masterplan to provide a cultural district for the city. The 33,700m2 cultural centre featuring a luminous spherical auditorium and floor-to-ceiling cascading bookcases functions not only as an education centre but as a social space and connector from the park into the cultural district.

An oval opening punched through the building is propped open by the Eye, a luminous sphere with an auditorium, which takes the main stage within the atrium and enlarges the perception of space within. Terraced bookshelves which echo the form of the sphere create an interior, topographical, landscape whose contours reach out and wrap around the façade. In this way, the stepped bookshelves within are represented on the outside with each level doubling up as a louvre.

An oval opening punched through the building is propped open by the Eye, a luminous sphere with an auditorium, which takes the main stage within the atrium and enlarges the perception of space within. Terraced bookshelves which echo the form of the sphere create an interior, topographical, landscape whose contours reach out and wrap around the façade. In this way, the stepped bookshelves within are represented on the outside with each level doubling up as a louvre. The futuristic library sits within a sheltered gallery, topped with cathedral-like vaulted arches, which wind their way through the scheme. MVRDV’s project is surrounded by four other cultural buildings designed by an international team of architects including Bernard Tschumi Architects and Bing Thom Architects. An oval opening punched through the building is propped open by the Eye, a luminous sphere with an auditorium, which takes the main stage within the atrium and enlarges the perception of space within. Terraced bookshelves which echo the form of the sphere create an interior, topographical, landscape whose contours reach out and wrap around the façade. In this way, the stepped bookshelves within are represented on the outside with each level doubling up as a louvre. The futuristic library sits within a sheltered gallery, topped with cathedral-like vaulted arches, which wind their way through the scheme. MVRDV’s project is surrounded by four other cultural buildings designed by an international team of architects including Bernard Tschumi Architects and Bing Thom Architects.

The five-level building contains diverse educational facilities, arrayed along the edges of the interior and accessed through the main atrium space. The public program is supported by subterranean service spaces, a book storage, and a large archive. From the ground floor visitors can easily access reading areas for children and the elderly, the auditorium and the terraced access to the floors above. The first and second floors consist primarily of reading rooms, books and lounge areas whilst the upper floors include meeting rooms, offices, computer and audio rooms and two rooftop patios. Tianjin Binhai Library is part of German architects GMP’s 120,000m2 masterplan which aims to accentuate the characteristics of the surrounding districts. The complex is intended as a junction point for the CBD, old town, residential districts, commercial areas and the government quarter supplementing missing programmes in each. The library’s outer volume was stipulated in the masterplan thus the Eye and surrounding semi-public area are an internal space, an inverted icon, acting as a central point and folly in the building.

Tianjin Binhai Library is MVRDV’s fastest realized project to date, taking just three years from the first sketch to the opening. The tight construction schedule forced one essential part of the concept to be dropped: access to the upper bookshelves from rooms placed behind the atrium. This change was made locally and against MVRDV’s advice. It rendered access to the upper shelves impossible. The full vision for the Tianjin Library may yet be realised. Until then the upper shelves of the library remain empty – with perforated aluminum plates printed to represent books – a remnant of the original design. The project is MVRDV’s second completed design in Tianjin.  TEDA Urban Fabric , completed in 2009, provided 280,000m2 of mixed high and low-rise housing and retail.

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Tianjin Binhai Library: A Triumph of Architecture and Knowledge

In the bustling city of Tianjin, China, an architectural marvel stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the pursuit of knowledge—the Tianjin Binhai Library. This awe-inspiring structure not only serves as a repository of books but also represents a symbol of success in design, innovation, and the shared human desire for intellectual enrichment.

Captivating Design: The Tianjin Binhai Library, designed by the Dutch architectural firm MVRDV in collaboration with the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI), is a visual masterpiece. Its iconic five-level structure, known colloquially as “The Eye,” features undulating bookshelves that create a mesmerizing optical illusion, resembling an enormous, swirling eye.

The central atrium, surrounded by the terraced shelves, opens up to a giant spherical auditorium at its core. The interplay of light, space, and structure gives visitors the sensation of being immersed in a sea of knowledge, fostering an environment that stimulates curiosity and imagination.

Technological Integration: The success of the Tianjin Binhai Library extends beyond its aesthetic appeal. Cutting-edge technology is seamlessly integrated into the library’s design to enhance the overall visitor experience. From an intelligent robot that helps patrons locate books to the state-of-the-art LED lighting system that illuminates the shelves, every aspect of the library is a fusion of modernity and functionality.

Innovative Storage Solutions: Housing over 1.2 million books, the Tianjin Binhai Library has overcome the challenges of space constraints with innovative storage solutions. The undulating bookshelves not only create a visually stunning effect but also provide practical storage space. The library’s design maximizes the use of vertical space, allowing for an extensive collection while maintaining a sense of openness.

Cultural Hub: Beyond its architectural and technological achievements, the Tianjin Binhai Library has become a cultural hub for the community. The library hosts a variety of cultural events, lectures, and exhibitions, attracting both locals and tourists alike. It has become a space for intellectual exchange and a catalyst for fostering a love of learning among people of all ages.

International Recognition: The success of the Tianjin Binhai Library has not gone unnoticed on the global stage. The library has received numerous awards and accolades for its architectural excellence and contribution to the cultural landscape. It stands as a shining example of how design and innovation can come together to create a space that transcends its primary function and becomes a cultural landmark.

The Tianjin Binhai Library is more than just a building; it is a triumph of architecture, technology, and culture. Its design captivates the imagination, its technology enhances the user experience, and its cultural contributions make it a beacon of success. As we celebrate the achievement of the Tianjin Binhai Library, we also celebrate the human spirit’s unyielding quest for knowledge and the remarkable ways in which architecture can inspire and elevate our lives.

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Dutch architect Winy Maas, of MDRDV, details building the Tianjin Binhai Library, which is home to 1.2 million books.

Dutch architect Winy Maas of MVRDV, who will be speaking in Toronto on June 23 as part of Azure Talks , details building the Tianjin Binhai Library, which is home to 1.2 million books.

In the coastal city of Tianjin, the idea of building a monument to books, and knowledge, is a challenging one – China is not a country known in modern times for celebrating the free flow of information. Designed by MVRDV of Rotterdam, in collaboration with local partners Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI), the Tianjin Binhai Library reaches for something ancient in imagining a library of the future. It’s a vast cave formed to house up to 1.2 million books within a five-storey-high stream of undulating shelving. A spherical auditorium at the centre watches over the 33,700-square-metre space like a luminous, all-seeing eye.

This is a place to get physical with books, to crawl in and amongst them, and to let them overwhelm you. Working within a master plan by GMP of Germany, the library forms part of a larger cultural complex of five buildings. Despite appearances, the Tianjin Binhai Library wasn’t all about unfettered imagination and whimsy. It was, for MVRDV, more of an exercise in very particular limitations, including a tight time frame, a mandated local design partner, a strictly fixed volume and exterior, and fewer books on the shelves than planned. As founding partner (and the AZ Awards’ 2018 Guest of Honour ) Winy Maas tells Azure , even when you are given the chance to flip the table over and imagine an entirely new form of an established building type, a fast-tracked project can mean compromises that you’re not going to love but will have to live with.

The Tianjin Binhai Library seems to be less about the functional, multidisciplinary aspects of a modern reference library, and more a tribute to the idea of physical books, knowledge and learning. Can it be both?

The client wanted a place where people could gather and mingle, and where there was easy access to books. They wanted a library where you could see books in every corner… if there were corners [laughs]. We followed that brief by suggesting two things: One was to put the auditorium in the very heart of the space, as a kind of motor that functions 24-7; and two, to surround that with this collective space. We designed it so visitors could simply walk over the books from top to bottom. Is it functional? Yes, there is a sequential system in place so you can find particular books in each layer. Every layer has a name, and they are placed in order, so the books are searchable.

The central library will evenutually contain a specific collection – it’s what  they call the World Collection, where you can read about thoughts and ideas from around the world. Many books aren’t actually on the shelves, they are in the rest of the building, so the [main hall] is representative of a much larger collection. The librarians can curate it, so the ordering of the books will change over time.

How has the library been received locally since its opening last October?

Maybe you’ve seen images of the weddings that have already taken place there? I think that’s one answer. There aren’t that many big libraries in China, so to have a place where the books are central, and also very accessible, is partially political by intention. It’s a public space, so it naturally provides access to knowledge, and that is really appreciated locally. In general, libraries in China aren’t big. In fact, there are fewer publications in China than in other parts of the world. I would encourage them to publish and translate more, and to open the frontiers.

You call this fast-tracked project your “most rapid to date.” The entire project was designed and built within three years. I get the sense the excavators were ready to go as soon as you had half a sketch done. What did that mean in terms of compromises along the way?

There are pluses and minuses. The plus is that the concept was adored very quickly and there weren’t many revisions. It’s also nice to have a project finish much faster than usual. The disadvantage is that working with the local firm and with the ciy is not always smooth or easy, because you need to communicate a lot, and there just isn’t enough time. We were sometimes surprised by their choices, and we couldn’t always pull things back. Sometimes we could, but not always. That’s the risk. In one case, it was particularly unfortunate. The decision to avoid (for the moment) fire protection in the central space, and access to the shelves that are nearest to the ceiling – due to budget and timing constraints – that is a real pity. Now, only 15 of the 60 bookshelves contain actual books. The other shelves contain images of book spines. This shows the potential of the space, but we’re all aware this needs work.

There’s been quite a bit of press about the fact that some of the books aren’t real. Then there were stories going around that there were hardly any books at all, and maybe authorities have asked for books to be removed. From your perspective, what is the reality of the situation?

Well, it’s clear communication hasn’t been the easiest part of this project, but, yes, they couldn’t afford some of the costs involved in fire protection, so there were compromises made. But the shape of the library has been respected. We’ve had good conversations with the librarian, and he’s very happy the building is getting so much attention and that people like it. He’s also eager to have more people visit. The collection is not that big yet, and it needs to grow, but how that changes will depend on policies. In the meantime, we’ve put together a list of what needs to be developed, and there will be improvements on safety and fire issues. It’s not dangerous now. They did a good job in that way. Basically, in order to facilitate more books we need to add fire protection, including steel on the higher levels, and more smoke detectors.

Still, it must be heartbreaking when you see this kind of reaction…

This is a subject that’s close to my heart, and in a way it’s much bigger than what an architect can take on. I mean, some people say, Why don’t you put books from the U.S. or Europe on the shelves? But I can’t break the rules. We’re now in a diplomatic world, and it’s my job to figure out how to operate in that world. You can clearly see we have done something provocative with this project – we have facilitated a larger possibility for access to knowledge, and towards written knowledge especially. And that is what it’s about. That’s what I can do.

What have you learned from this project that you’ll take into the future?

Basically, that you have to concentrate on one element. Otherwise, you have to be relaxed about the process, and be prepared to give things up. But let’s not forget that in China you’re also obliged to work with a local firm [in this case, the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute]. Some of these firms are at an international level, and others are not, but no matter what, you’re simply not going to be the voice on everything.

This is the second library for MVRDV, after Book Mountain in Spijkenisse, the Netherlands. What are the specific challenges of working with libraries?

With the first one we were trying to say that we believe books still play a vital role in the world. Of course, we are in a digital era, and a younger generation is doing things other than read books, so it’s logical to digitize them. But I think that for the next 30 or 40 years there will still be a desire and need to have physical copies. Will that change? Probably, yes. We have discussed this question a lot. We believe in keeping public spaces that celebrate access to the knowledge books represent, and to use those spaces to discuss the development of human knowledge. There is a tendency to have only the latest books on library shelves and then destroy the older ones. Our “shelf projects,” like the one we created in Spijkenisse and now in Tianjin, tend to have many more shelves, so you can have older collections accessible too.

Our experience with both projects is an appreciation from readers, who want to see a large number of books and to see how they’re ordered. They feel almost overwhelmed, but also inspired and challenged. Seeing so much written knowledge encourages people to read, more so than in libraries where books are kept in stacks – especially those built in the 1990s – and the experience is more like a labyrinth.

Both Book Mountain and the Tianjin library have this monumental impression that inspires. I compare these projects to those by library designers from the 18th century, who were also aiming to show off books. For me, those libraries are always inspiring. They somehow make me want to hang around longer. They seduce me to read the next book.

The Tianjin library is part of a five-building master plan that has a glass canopy enclosing the entire space. Did you have much input into how the overall space could work, or what your building could bring to it?

Not really. The library is the last phase of the larger project. Eight years ago, there was a competition, which Zaha Hadid won, to figure out the master plan. After that, the municipality decided to cluster the buildings. I don’t know the exact reasons for the decision, but when they gave us the opportunity to design a piece of the complex, we discussed contributing with a library. So we started with a 33,700-square-metre enclosed box and added two giant windows on either side, to pull people inside and to let the interior visually spill out onto the neighbouring park. [The building has since been dubbed “The Eye” in reference to the spherical auditorium at its centre. It resembles an iris and can be seen from the park outside through an eye-shaped opening.]

It must have been a challenge to realize the kind of monumental spectacle we’ve become used to in your flagship projects. Is it possible to put MVRDV’s mark on a purely interior project, without that capacity for exterior play?

I’ve written before that, with greater densification, the role of the interior has become more important than the exterior, because we are simply closer to each other inside. That really applies with this project because the buildings are packed on top of each other, with just this small space in between.

Climate change, not only in China, but also in other places, is making interior spaces more significant. Yes, we have to find an ecological solution for climate change, but it again puts the emphasis on the interior and air-conditioned spaces. I think our first project, the Villa VPRO [a new home for the Dutch public broadcaster, that was completed in 1997], was also a building about the interior, where the exterior was simply a leftover which basically shows the story of the interior. With the Tianjin library, the experience is in the space itself: To step on it and to try to find your way over the shelves, that’s quite a physical experience. That’s the most important part.

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Tianjin Binhai public library architecture plans became a sea of knowledge

Tianjin Binhai Public Library : Dutch firm MVRDV has built a public library, designed in collaboration with the Tianjin urban planning and design institute (TUPDI). That looks like a huge 3D eyeball, as part of a new cultural district in Tianjin, China. The atrium of the Tianjin Binhai Public Library is deliberately designed to look like a 3D eyeball, staring out through the building’s glazed facade. The ‘ Tianjin Binhai public library ’ not only acts as an educational resource but also as a link between the adjacent park and the new cultural district. Bookshelves on either side of the sphere provide both stairs and seating, before continuing along the ceiling to create an illuminated topography.

Tianjin Binhai public library architecture.

MVRDV first revealed its designs for the Tianjin Binhai Public Library in June 2016, when construction was already well underway. It is one of five buildings commissioned by the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute to form a new cultural center for the Binhai district of the coastal city.

Public library design concepts:

The masterplan for the area was set by German firm GMP – and MVRDV found it a struggle to fit the entire programme into the allotted space. It was this that led the team to create the spherical auditorium at the center. Not being able to touch the building’s volume we ‘rolled’ the ball-shaped auditorium demanded by the brief into the building and the building simply made space for it, said Maas.

The 33,700-square-metre building is the Dutch firm’s fastest project completion to date – with a period of just three years between the first sketch and the opening ceremony. Fast-tracking the process caused a few design headaches. The upper shelves directly above the atrium are currently unreachable after planned access rooms were dropped – a decision MVRDV said was taken by the local team against their advice.

As a result, these shelves are covered in perforated aluminum plates that printed to look like books. They are cleaned using a system of moveable scaffolding and ropes. The firm said they hoped that their full vision for the library may be realized in the future.

Fact file of Tianjin Binhai library architecture design:

Architects: MVRDV, Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute

Location: Tianjin, China

Area: 33700.0 m2

Project Year: 2017

Photographs: Ossip van Duivenbode

Design Team: Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries with Wenchian Shi, María López Calleja, Kyosuk Lee, Sen Yang, Marta Pozo, Chi Li, Ray Zhu, Ángel Sánchez Navarro, Daehee Suk, Guang Ruey Tan, Xichen Sun, Michael Zhang, Mariya Gyaurova, Jaime Dominguez Bálgoma, Antonio Luca Coco, Costanza Cuccato, Matteo Artico, and Tomaso Maschietti.

Concept Design: Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries with Renske van der Stoep, Martine Vledder, Kyosuk Lee, Gerard Heerink, Chi Li, Francisco Pomares, Nicolas Lee, Claudia Bode, Sharon Sin, Jaap Baselmans, Herman Gaarman, Hui Hsin Liao, Antonio Luca Coco, Costanza Cuccato, Matteo Artico and Tomaso Maschietti.

Co-Architect: Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI), Tianjin, China

Structural Engineers: Sanjiang Steel Structure Design

Interior Architect: TADI interior architects

Lighting Design: Huayi Jianyuan lighting design

The five-story-high space is framed by floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, which are staggered at different levels to form the shape of an eye socket, while a spherical mirrored auditorium at the center forms the pupil. The curving lines of the shelves provide areas where visitors can sit and read, and observe others doing the same. They also continue out across the glass facade, forming louvers that deflect the glare of the sun.

Winy Maas, co-founder of MVRDV, described the finished interior as almost cave-like, a continuous bookshelf. We opened the building by creating a beautiful public space inside . A new urban living room is its center, he said. The bookshelves are great spaces to sit and at the same time allow for access to the upper floors. The angles and curves are meant to stimulate different uses of the space, such as reading, walking, meeting and discussing. Together they form the ‘eye’ of the building: to see and be seen.

Tianjin public library design ideas:

The Tianjin Binhai public library also houses education facilities. Which are located around the periphery of the interior and accessed via the main hall. Subterranean rooms hold a large archive and provide extra book storage . Reading areas for children and the elderly are located on the ground floor, with reading rooms and lounge areas on the first and second floors. The upper floors contain meeting rooms, offices, computer rooms and two rooftop terraces .

Tianjin Binhai Public Library sits alongside building a new exhibition center by GMP. As well as other cultural buildings by Bernard Tschumi Architects, Bing Thom Architects and HH Design. All five are connected by a public corridor sheltered beneath a glass canopy.

Library architecture design plans:

The Tianjin Binhai public library Images:

Know more modern library architecture case study,

• SPIRAL OF KNOWLEDGE – A Media Library at Dalarna Architecture.
• Design of Barack Obama Presidential Library in Chicago.
• All time best reading space ideas that inspire your creativity.
• Museum Of Contemporary Art Shanghai by Atelier Deshaus in Shanghai.

Tianjin Binhai Library was built according to the Chinese Green Star energy efficiency label and has achieved two-star statuses. Since its opening on 1 October 2017. The library building has been a great hit in Chinese media and social media. Reviews describe it as an ‘Ocean of Books’ (CCTV) and the ‘Most beautiful library of China’ (The Bund). Comments on social media call the building a ‘ sea of knowledge ’, ‘ Super Sci-Fi ’ or simply ‘ The Eye .’ Most importantly, it is clear that the people of Tianjin have embraced the new space – and that it has become the urban living room it was intended to be.

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• Cultural Center

Tianjin Binhai Cultural Center / gmp Architects

• Curated by 韩爽 - HAN Shuang
• Architects: gmp Architects
• Area Area of this architecture project Area:  31600 m²
• Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
• Photographs Photographs: Christian Gahl
• Design Team:  Dinah Borjans, Maarten Harms, Lu Yun, Dimitri Philippe
• Project Management:  Di Wu, Yangjiao Liu
• Partner Practice:  Tianjin Architectural Design Institute (TADI)
• Client:  Tianjin Binhai New Area Cultural Center Cci Capital Ltd
• Architect In Charge:  Meinhard von Gerkan, Stephan Schütz, Stephan Rewolle
• Project Leader:  Jinying Sui, Sebastian Linack
• City:  Binhaixinqu
• Country:  China
• Did you collaborate on this project?

Text description provided by the architects. The Binhai Cultural Center at Tianjin , the metropolis in the east of China, which includes five cultural buildings by international architects, has been created to a masterplan by Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp). With the concept of a roofed-over cultural concourse, gmp has created a specific typology for this unique project. The inverted umbrella-like structures are a distinct architectural element and unify the art and cultural buildings that were designed by different architectural practices.

For years, China’s metropolitan areas have been growing at a breathtaking rate. In many instances the munic- ipalities are redefining their urban parameters with conspicuous development projects. Since 2010, the Binhai New Area in the eastern Chinese port city of Tianjin has been formed by combining three districts into one. In the midst of the quarter, the Tianjin Binhai Cultural Center comprises five cultural institutions. gmp was responsible for the unusual urban design concept and, in addition, has designed the Museum of Modern Art. Four international architectural practices designed the other cultural buildings: a library (MVRDV), a Science & Technology Museum (Bernhard Tschumi Architects), a theater (Revery Architecture, previously Bing Thom Architects), and a Citizens’ Center (Hua Hui Architects).

The masterplan for the project defines uniform building lines, roof lines, and the depth of the individual build- ings and in that way creates a unified ensemble of the different cultural buildings by architects from China, Europe, and North America. The cultural buildings are connected by a roofed-over cultural concourse that functions as the spine of the Center. The museum, exhibition, and event buildings are placed on both sides of the 330 meter long and 25 meter wide main axis that runs from north to south. The east/west axis, with a length of 100 meters, is significantly shorter, although with a width of 60 meters it is more than twice as wide and is used as a central plaza for events and temporary exhibitions.

The cultural concourse is roofed over by 30 meter high inverted umbrella-like structures supported on 26 individual steel columns. The columns are retained in the ground at their base. This lofty construction provides the Tianjin Binhai Cultural Center with its own unique architectural feature whilst allowing the style of each of the different cultural buildings to shine. The slender steel columns support the loads from the glazed flat roof and contain the downpipes for draining the roof area. Horizontal aluminum louvers filter the incoming light and provide solar screening.

Visitors can stroll along the concourse on two levels: the upper level connects the different cultural buildings and, at street level, shops and eateries round off the available services. The two levels are interconnected via numerous staircases, allowing visitors to move about horizontally and vertically along the cultural concourse and to choose between art and shops at their leisure.

“In essence, the project is an absolute experiment. In contrast to the cultural center in Tianjin city itself, which was completed in 2012 with the participation of our practice and in which an extensive park combines the individual cultural buildings, in Binhai it is the interior concourse with its cover of inverted umbrellas that gives the Cultural Center its identity.” – Stephan Schütz, Partner

Project gallery

Project location

Address: binhaixinqu, tianjin, china.

• Sustainability

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天津滨海新区文化中心文化艺术长廊 / gmp Architects

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