Chris Hardie

RIBA, ARB, Intl. Assoc. AIA, RESET AP, Fitwel Ambassador
Principal, Design Director, Shanghai

Growing up in rural Scotland, Chris was surrounded by countryside and agricultural buildings.  It was there that he realized that architecture does not have to be extravagant to be beautiful. Simple forms made from honest materials have lasting beauty.

Chris began his career working on cultural projects, buildings designed to celebrate human expression and creativity.  He understands the transformative effect a library or museum can have in bringing a community together and strengthening its identity.

Chris is an Honorary Professor of Architecture at The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture at The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, UK, and a Distinguished Professor of Design at the Zhengzhou Institute of Finance and Economics – School of Art & Design in Henan, China.

A resident of Shanghai since 2011, Chris founded SHL’s China studio.

 

Say hello to Chris
An Architect Bridging East and West

Learn more about Chris Hardie’s design philosophy.

Chris Hardie - Tang Yu'en
On site at Shanghai Library East with collaborating architect Tang Yu'en, one of China's master architects, and the architect of the original Shanghai Library.
Shanghai Library East - SHL
As China's largest new library, Shanghai Library East opened to the public in September 2022
Shanghai Library East - SHL
Shanghai Library East (2016-2022)
Shanghai, China
Cloud Pavilion - SHL
Cloud Pavilion (2013-2014)
West Bund, Shanghai, China
Cloud Pavilion - SHL
The cloud pavilion was commissioned as part of the 2013 West Bund Biennale of Art & Architecture.
Cheng Shifa Art Museum
An Art Museum designed to celebrate the life and work of Chinese painter Cheng Shifa.
Cheng Shifa Art Museum
Cheng Shifa Art Museum (2017)
Shanghai, China
Chris Hardie - AD
In 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023, Chris was named in the Architectural Digest's top 100 Most Influential Architects in China.
Halifax Central Library
Halifax Central Library (2010-2014)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Halifax Central Library
Halifax Central Library was awarded the Governor General Medal in Architecture of Canada in 2016.
Shanghai Children's Library
Shanghai Children's Library
Shanghai Children's Library (2017)
Shanghai, China
Chris Hardie and Shanghai Office
With some of the Shanghai team on the rooftop of our studio in Shanghai's Former French Concession.
CaoHeJing
CaoHeJing Innovation Headquarters (2015-2019)
Shanghai, China
Agricultural Bank of China (2017)
Ningbo, China
Chris Hardie Shanghai Studio
Highlands Library
Highlands Library Model
Highlands Library (2010-2013)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Chris's Featured Work

Work
Shanghai Library East
Shanghai, China
Work
Green Heart Grand Theatre
Beijing, China
Work
Ningbo New Library
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen
Work
Ningbo Daily Newspaper Group
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen
Work
Beijing Vanke Times Center
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen
NIO West Lake - exterior
Work
NIO House Hangzhou West Lake
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen
Work
Halifax Central Library, Nova Scotia
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
Work
City of Westminster College, London, United Kingdom
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
Work
University of Aberdeen Library, United Kingdom
Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
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