Gyeongju Integrated Cultural Library
The Timeless Continuum
Bridging Gyeoungju’s Past, Present, and Park
We envision the Gyeongju Integrated Cultural Library not merely as a repository of books, but as a living nexus connecting the Past, Present, and Future. Our design pays homage to the timeless proportions of Gyeongju’s historical rooflines while reinterpreting the spirit of the Oksanseowon’s Mubeonnu—a space of "no boundaries."
Rejecting the imposition of a massive monolith, our strategy dissolves the architectural edge between the library and Hwangseong Park. We have integrated the ground floor into the topography, using a folding landscape to cloak the functional areas. This allows the park’s greenery to flow seamlessly over and into the building, inviting the public to engage with the architecture intimately.
Above, the massing is articulated into two distinct volumes, separated by a porous central axis. This void acts as a civic gateway, preserving a continuous pedestrian flow from the main road to the park without obstruction. By reinterpreting the traditional "Ru" (pavilion) through transparent sightlines and modern materiality, we create a sanctuary where light, breeze, and knowledge converge—a true expansion of culture without boundaries.
* Topographic Integration: Instead of a vertical three-story obstruction, the ground floor is embedded within a sloping landscape. This extends the green footprint of Hwangseong Park onto the building, reducing the visual scale and fostering public interaction at the park level.
* The Urban Gateway: The upper volume is split into two distinct structures. The resulting interstitial space serves as a public corridor, maintaining a vital connection between the main road and the park. This allows pedestrians to traverse the site freely, treating the library as an open part of the city rather than a closed fortress.
* Modern Vernacular: Drawing from the contemplative nature of the traditional pavilion, the library utilizes transparent facades and flexible spatial organization. This blurs the line between interior reading spaces and the exterior environment, allowing the library to function as an open cultural living room for Gyeongju.