The Administrative and Information Centre, home of the new XJTLU Library, is expected to be ready for use in 2013. The unique design concept of applying the aesthetic features of stones of Lake Tai into the building is well appreciated; the building tactfully integrates four different functional centres under the same one roof: the Administration Centre, the University Library, the Student Centre, and the Training Centre. Before the interior decoration work started, University Librarian Xin Bi led two library staff, Jingming Huang, Senior Acquisition Officer, Zhankui Li, Team Leader of User Service Division, and an engineer from the Campus Development Office, Yunpeng Liu, round the Administrative and Information Centre for a first viewing at nine o’clock of March 13th. After a thorough inspection, they learned the progress of the project, checked the draft and the internal layout of the library, and this will lay a solid foundation for the work later.
The core philosophy in designing the building is "square earth", taking the meaning of indomitable spirit, or towering from earth to sky. The four people felt they had traveled to another place and time when they encountered the building work in progress. In fact, there was a different kind of wonderful scenery inside the building. Useful building materials were neatly stacked in the corner of the open hall and workers were busy working everywhere. The sound of tools and machines indicated that it would be a journey worth waiting for, but also that progress in construction should also be accelerated. Despite the bare plastered walls and the dust-covered floor, the initial appearance of the interior space and design was awe-inspiring. The visitors referred to the technical drawings and looked around, showing great interest in the design of the new library. (Fig1)
In the past few years, the university leaders and all library staff have poured an extraordinary dedication into the design of the library. They were all very pleased and excited when they saw several vivid drafts of design blueprint in the first investigation. It was said that the main entrance of library was on second floor, including independent halls and three independent elevators. In order to check the designing progress of drawings carefully, they walked through every corner of the building, starting from 2th floor to 11th floor. Surprises met them each time they walked through a dark narrow corridor. The field of vision gradually broadened with more and more distant roofs, which was said to be a winding path leading to a secluded spot. The viewers talked about the beauty of the construction, which had won the 2011 golden Habitat Classic Architectural Design award with its drawings, and enthusiastically discussed how to make full use of the space to catalyze XJTLU students' desire for knowledge.
The University Librarian Xin Bi said that it was very rewarding when seeing the design concepts and drawings of the library gradually physically present in front of their eyes. It was also a rare opportunity for them to participate in the construction progress of the library. In the building at its preliminary construction phase, the University Librarian Xin Bi regarded the vast space on one floor after another like a starving baby, who needs dedicated and detailed attention, careful design and delicate consideration. During the visit, the University Librarian Xin Bi noted that, because the library would serve as the main public space of the University Community, great importance should be attached to all the details; for example, whether the teachers and students would wait too long in the elevator, whether people could move separately under the condition of overloaded flow of people in the library, the security of the vacant corridor railings, the temperature and security of the 24-hour learning area, and the lighting conditions in the offices of Collection Development Division. Even the occasional bang caused by falling objects outside on site could not dampen the passion of them to explore continuously. Also, the rough room with occasional clouds of cement dust could not dent their confidence and vision for what is to come.
From this experience, it is clear to see that the library has a very promising future, developing in a cradle filled with high hopes and warm wishes. It is already vibrant and warm in our hearts today, as we contemplate the pivotal role it will play in student learning at XJTLU, tomorrow and into the future.
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Administrative and Information Centre Description:
Building Area: 46,160 m2
Project and Design Director: Zixian Wen
The hollows of different heights form a three-dimensional Suzhou Garden. Using stones from Lake Tai as the design concept, the complex holes inside the Studying and Information Center are exposed by a technique called cutting. This renders the function of each space inside the building not only independent of each other but also organically connected through virtual space. (图2或图3选其一)
Contributor: Yajuan Hu
Editor: Hanlin Yang, Yajuan Hu