Architects’ Client of the Year 2026: Zheshui Village Committee

Such dedication deserves to be recognised: to bring the idea of the nature library to life, the Zheshui Village Committee not only collaborated with the architectural practice Luo Studio but also enlisted the help of every villager. The project faced major challenges simply due to its remote location: poor transport links made it difficult to access materials, whilst the mountainous terrain hampered the use of machinery. Collectively, the decision was made to use simple craftsmanship and local building materials. By working with small components, the villagers were able to gradually build the project by hand. But what use is a finished children’s library without books? Plenty of reading material was collected through nationwide fundraising campaigns. Furthermore, schools and other cultural institutions integrated the Zheshui Natural Library into their programmes. In a remarkable way, the project’s initiators succeeded not only in creating a library suited to the community, but also in forging a close connection between the builders and the landscape. There is scarcely a better way to promote education, social engagement and a fascination with nature. The new natural library is the result of collective action and thus sustainably strengthens cohesion within the village – underpinned by the idea of a place for everyone.