Japanese architect Kazunari Sakamoto has renovated the third floor of Shanghai’s Power Station of Art museum, transforming the space into an art library called Espace Gabrielle Chanel.
Espace Gabrielle Chanel is the first public library in China devoted exclusively to contemporary art and design.
The project was developed by Sakamoto as part of a collaboration between the fashion house Chanel and the Power Station of Art, which is located in the former Nanshi Electric Plant.
Sakamoto completely reimagined the museum’s third floor, introducing multi-level interiors that house a library, a theatre, and an exhibition space focused on design. The space is named after Chanel’s founder, Gabrielle Chanel.
Wood-lined floors and partition walls with integrated shelving define the library zones, which feature books and audiovisual resources covering art, design, architecture, and culture.
Additionally, a section on the second level is dedicated to Chinese contemporary art.
“The library aims to cultivate an environment for deep reading and reflection, inviting readers to explore freely and embark on a journey of discovery, reinterpretation, and creation,” stated the Power Station of Art.
“Bookshelves are thoughtfully arranged along a gently sloping ramp, forming a winding, ascending route that allows visitors to wander and explore the varied collections at their own pace,” it added.
“Through the blend of slopes and curves, movement and contemplation, body and mind come together for a new sensory experience, fostering a dialogue with oneself, with others, with the space, and with the present era.”
As part of the transformation, Sakamoto introduced an exhibition area for design objects and a relaxation space overlooking the Huangpu River, which remains open to the high ceiling of the industrial building’s third floor.
The architect also designed a three-hundred-seat theatre aimed at accommodating various events, such as video art screenings, sound performances, theatre productions, and press conferences.
“While the library encourages immersive wandering, the theatre ignites bursts of energy,” the Power Station of Art explained. “It is in the dynamic tension between these two spaces that the Power Station of Art embodies the spirit of contemporary culture.”
Espace Gabrielle Chanel aspires to inspire creativity across diverse artistic fields in Shanghai.
“The transformation of this historic riverside landmark reflects our shared commitment to nurturing creativity and new ideas,” commented Renaud Bailly, president of Chanel’s north Asia region.
“This is a space for all creators, thinkers, and dreamers who, like Gabrielle Chanel, aspire to help shape what comes next.”
Other recent projects that blend art and reading featured on Dezeen include Es Devlin’s rotating library installation at Miami Art Week and the Taichung Green Museumbrary in Taiwan by SANAA, which unites an art museum and a public library.
Photography courtesy of the Power Station of Art.
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