The design of the Daegu Gosan Library combines
four archetypes across space and culture into a new metropolitan symbol: the
square, the verandah, the shrine and the courtyard are merged in a simple but
powerful form. The grounded-ness of the square, the sheltered path of the
verandah, the sanctity of the shrine and the central void of the courtyard are
combined to create a new sub-metropolitan library that is open and closed,
light and dark, contemporary and timeless, singular and universal at the same
time. A metaphor of interchange + connectedness.
Philosophy
This library design unashamedly embraces books
as an enduring tool of knowledge transfer. Just as historically the medium has
evolved from roll to codex, from papyrus to vellum, from printed paper to
digital, who can say what will surpass the e-library of today? The form may
change, the content will change, however the purpose remains enduring and
constant- the free exchange of information. The bibliotheque/library has
continued to evolve- soon the book-to-digital ratio will be a spent argument. Accordingly
we have chosen to design less determined floor plates. It can be, and will be
something else tomorrow. It is not hard-wired.
Traditionally libraries evolved from monastic
realms to places for the common good accessible to layman and scholar alike. A
democratic place that does not discriminate: that invites, holds interest,
challenges and embraces, a place for learning both formal and unconscious. A
library is the social repository of memory and knowledge.
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