Atelier XI has developed the Serpentine Bookhouse in Shenzhen, China.

Located amid the trees along the Dasha River Ecological Corridor, the Serpentine Bookhouse performs like a rising spiral art sculpture – returning as much ground space as possible for plant growth and tourist activities.

The newly added public building includes a children's reading room of 300 square metres and a public restroom open 24/7 to park visitors.

Following the exterior form of the building, the interior space presents itself as a series of stepped reading spaces winding around the trees in the atrium for children to explore and cultivate their interest in independent learning.

This project has been shortlisted in the civic project category of Dezeen Awards 2023.

Studio: Atelier XI
Project: Serpentine Bookhouse