"I've designed quite a lot of museums in my career," Ando said during a visit to the construction site in Shanghai last year.

"But this is the first time I've created a space that combines a museum with a bookstore."

He designed the bookshelves with empty squares in the center. This enables readers to see one another, Shanghai Xinhua Group's president Li Shuang says.

"We hope the beautiful design helps bring people to the world of books, where they can meet with art, culture and other readers."

Che Jianxin, president of Red Star Mecalline Co, The Aegean Place's developer, says the mall receives 50,000 visitors on workdays and up to 200,000 during weekends.

"The new museum brings art close to people," he says.

"You don't have to travel far to experience art."

If you go

Tadao Ando: Leading 10 am-7 pm Sundays-Thursdays; 10 am-10 pm, Fridays-Saturdays, until May 20. Pearl Art Museum, 8F, The Aegean Place, 1588 Wuzhong Road, Minhang district, Shanghai.