Pinghe Bibliotheatre is the centrepiece of Shanghai Qingpu Pinghe International School.

A library, a theatre, and a black box interlock together like a Chinese puzzle to form this characterful building that some call "the blue whale" while others see it as an ocean liner.

The unique form of the building and the free-flowing spaces not only cultivate the students’ interests in reading and performing, but also encourage their imagination to roam freely in the ocean of knowledge.

This project has been longlisted in the civic building category of Dezeen Awards 2021.

Architect: OPEN
Project: Pinghe Bibliotheatre
Read more: OPEN