Public Library in Daegu Gosan

Architecturally, the proposal for the public library in Daegu Gosan, South Korea, dissolves the boundary between public space and interior collection. The minimal formal language of the architecture allows the Library to capture the textures of the existing trees and the books within, creating a cohesive experience that celebrates both.

The project’s site is adjacent to a wide park strip that protects the future library from the nearby traffic of a growing cityscape. We propose to extend the unique quality of this park into the experience of the building. The building is defined by thin floors that float among a forest of columns, blurring the transition from exterior to interior with a delicate play of light. The library cantilevers above, defining public space for events outside like book markets, parades, and outdoor exhibitions.

The stepped geometry of the library shades itself, allowing significant transparency that lets the library’s books become part of the facade’s expression. As visitors arrive, they follow a transition from the texture of the trees to the texture of the books. The glass facade is the minimal boundary between the two, framing a profound connection that defines the experience of the library.

As the seasons change, the trees become a backdrop of color and light that creates a variety of experiences. The winter library maximizes the amount of ambient light when it is most needed within the interior. The autumn library casts the hues of red and orange fall leaves into the collection space. The summer library is naturally more shaded and protected, using the trees’ lush canopy to diffuse excess light into interior spaces.

The interior environment is shaped by the void of the stepped floors and celebrates the beauty of the library’s entire collection in one space. Book shelves wrap around the entirety of one central space, creating a heart of the building that is ideal for reading and study. The library is ultimately defined by this gesture - an open space surrounded by books, belonging to the city.

Program: Public library
Size: +4000 m2
Location: Daegu, South Korea
Client: Daegu Metropolitan City
Year: 2012
Type: Open competition, 3. place
Collaborators: Büro Happold
Team JAJA: Jan Tanaka, Jakob Christensen, Kathrin Gimmel, Brian Vargo, Regine Rostad, Mathias Palle, Alexandra Antonescu

THE SITE

In a densely populated urban area like Daegu Gosan, parks and green recreational areas are scarce. The public library will occupy what is currently a playground. The question for us has been, how do we create a building that ensures the qualities of the existing public space?

THE SITE

In a densely populated urban area like Daegu Gosan, parks and green recreational areas are scarce. The public library will occupy what is currently a playground. The question for us has been, how do we create a building that ensures the qualities of the existing public space?

BETWEEN BUILDING AND PARK SPACE

The Daegu Gosan Public Library along with the existing park creates cohesive experience between the library and the surrounding urban space. The offset ground floor, the slender columns, the tree trunks and the cantilevering covered space together with the canopies create an experience where the architecture becomes a part of the park and the park, a part of the library.

BETWEEN BUILDING AND PARK SPACE

The Daegu Gosan Public Library along with the existing park creates cohesive experience between the library and the surrounding urban space. The offset ground floor, the slender columns, the tree trunks and the cantilevering covered space together with the canopies create an experience where the architecture becomes a part of the park and the park, a part of the library.

BOOK ATRIUM

The outer shape of the building creates an inner atrium space that collects the books in a spatial ‘bowl’. The tree trunks outside are reinterpreted as a slender forest of columns that are scattered through the atrium space, creating a spatial experience that connects the interior with the exterior park.

BOOK ATRIUM

The outer shape of the building creates an inner atrium space that collects the books in a spatial ‘bowl’. The tree trunks outside are reinterpreted as a slender forest of columns that are scattered through the atrium space, creating a spatial experience that connects the interior with the exterior park.

FACADE OF SEASONS

The stepped geometry of the library creates shade, which protects the books from sunlight and allows the collection to become part of the façade expression. Beneath the cantilevering building close to the façade, an interaction occurs between the materiality of the books and the trees that changes with the rhythms of the seasons. With the shifting hues of the tree leaves, the books moving on and off shelves, and people exploring the collection, the façade is constantly alive.

FACADE OF SEASONS

The stepped geometry of the library creates shade, which protects the books from sunlight and allows the collection to become part of the façade expression. Beneath the cantilevering building close to the façade, an interaction occurs between the materiality of the books and the trees that changes with the rhythms of the seasons. With the shifting hues of the tree leaves, the books moving on and off shelves, and people exploring the collection, the façade is constantly alive.

BETWEEN BOOKS AND TREES

The minimal architectural expression accentuates the relationship between the library books and surrounding trees. The color and texture of the books combined with the shape and color of the foliage creates a poetic and playful experience.

BETWEEN BOOKS AND TREES

The minimal architectural expression accentuates the relationship between the library books and surrounding trees. The color and texture of the books combined with the shape and color of the foliage creates a poetic and playful experience.

Program: Public library
Size: +4000 m2
Location: Daegu, South Korea
Client: Daegu Metropolitan City
Year: 2012
Type: Open competition, 3. place
Collaborators: Büro Happold
Team JAJA: Jan Tanaka, Jakob Christensen, Kathrin Gimmel, Brian Vargo, Regine Rostad, Mathias Palle, Alexandra Antonescu