A 21ST CENTURY LIBRARY FOR SONGDO
The digitization of cultural content has made possible to access it in a ubiquitous way. As a consequence, libraries have begun a process of transformation and opening themselves towards a new conception of the public, understood as a space of safety, equality and participation where public discussion is possible and legitimate. Libraries must offer new ways of accessing information and knowledge aimed at a more varied number of users. Silent reading activities and book loan activities are still a very important part of the library, but now new learning formats are included that require multiple spatial situations.
DIVERSITY AND FLEXIBILITY
Faced with this new challenge, the new municipal library of Sogndo proposes an architectural solution with an open plan without partitions that allows great versatility and flexibility of use while offering multiple spatial situations of different character (low space under the mezzanine, large spaces for workshops and events, small and closed spaces for meetings or children, areas to sit with tables and chairs and others to sit on the floor with cushions). This diversity allows users to find the ideal place for the cultural activity they want to exercise. The circulation of the building is very intuitive, always moving around the perimeter of the library, next to the book´s shelves, encountering with different spaces where activities take place.
THE LIBRARY AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The new library is located between two large avenues that generate annoying ambient noise for the library. This is the simple reason why the new building is designed with a natural central space with all the programs facing towards it.
Libraries must build relationships with the neighborhood using culture as a common thread, strengthening the associative fabric and reinforcing the local economy. The architecture itself has to make this relationship possible, consequently the building not only opens their interior spaces during the daytime but also offers a spectacular wooden roof to the users at any given time and day of the year.
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
The new Sogndo Public Library wishes to be an example for sustainable construction in South Korea. The basement of the building is constructed in reinforced concrete with a degree of recycled materials while the levels above ground the library is entirely built in timber.
All structural elements above ground are built in laminated timber while the exterior enclosure of the building is solved with timber and glass-wool sandwich panel. The library’s facade is covered by a layer of “V-shaped” aluminum panels that gives texture and reflections towards the streets. On the south-east and south-west facade, these panels are covered by BIPV panels providing enough clean energy to achieve the status of Zero Energy Building with a minimum energy independency of 20%.
