The Tsinghua University Library is a landmark building on the Tsinghua University campus. It was initially designed by American architect Henry Murphy, and the construction was completed in 1919, followed by two extensions: the second phase of construction designed by Yang Tingbao in 1930s, and the third phase of construction designed by Guan Zhaoye in 1980s.

This project is the fourth phase of extension of the library complex, located in the core area of the campus. The library embodies the continuance of the historical context of the university. It also addresses the need for development in regards to teaching and academic disciplines. The design exemplifies the architectural approach to fulfilling the historical and functional significance of the library.

The new extension and the existing building are interconnected as an organic whole. The set-back exterior walls of the fourth-floor extends themselves downward, serving as a partition between the inner space and the peripheral areas, whereas the circulation in-between is enabled via openings in the wall. The inner space enclosed by this wall is a collection-reading area, which is typical of academic libraries. The peripheral areas scattering between the interior wall and the exterior wall are for more public programs such as circulation, informal reading and so on, making it a more interactive transition to the outdoor landscape.

Basing on the gesture of setting back the main volume from bottom to the top, the building generates a horizontally two-layered nested structure of the inner and peripheral space, which is fully reflected on the elevations of the building. Behind the three-storey-high transparent façade stands a solid four-storey-high wall which keeps a spatial balance between separation and interconnection. With the lights on, this layered spatial arrangement is spotlighted against the dark of the night. Details, such as the extensive glass curtain wall with brick sunshades on the outside, are all parts of the effort to make the new extension a coordinated as well as contemporarily expressed part of the existing library.

This represents the trend in the development of university libraries today. A series of complementing programs are introduced with public spaces such as atriums and areas joining the interior and exterior circulations, including exhibition hall, café, bookstore, group discussion space, study rooms, ancient book restoration area, etc. Moreover, the existing library’s lack of big open reading space is also significantly mitigated.