Metropolises are not only defined by economics, politics, commerce, residence and/or other modern and contemporary concepts, but should also include elements ranging from large-scale infrastructure to citizens’ individual preferences, which are developed in daily life by learning about a city’s history, culture and development. Thus, it makes cities truly viable and vibrant by combining and integrating these ‘metropolitan elements’.
Gwangju is known as the hometown of culture and art in South Korea and boasts rich historical and cultural heritage. Simultaneously, Gwangju also is the educational capital of South Korea, with universities and institutions at all levels and is the educational and cultural centre of Jeollanam-do. Gwangju has never stopped developing its history, culture and education. The plot of industrial character in this project also reflects the overlapped history of the city, which must retain past traces while moving forward. Therefore, on the one hand, the preservation of some representative industrial heritage is essential for the whole site plan and for the city; on the other hand, as a direction and a technique for expressing modern culture, modern architecture shoulders the task of integrating the ‘metropolitan elements’ and depicting the overlapping of modern and future social culture.
As for the building itself, freedom, openness and integration into nature are all fundamental concepts of this project. Building massing follows the triangular shape of existing trees to achieve an architectural form that becomes smaller and smaller as it rises. This allows the structures to adapt and integrate into the surrounding environment. Simultaneously, the whole building is elevated, leaving space on the ground for daily activities such as sports and relaxation. By connecting with the Energe Park on the south and integrating with surrounding landscapes into a larger open space, the library is in a freer, more open and relaxed natural environment, bestowing on the public an intimate and natural experience while at once making the future development of the library more reasonable, flexible and desirable. The building houses multiple areas for diverse functions, such as exhibition halls, gyms and reading rooms. In this sense, the building covers various aspects of daily life of residents and imparts a sense of play to the vigour of the metropolis in daily life. Getting rid of the grand image of ‘temple of the holy spirit’, the slightly reflective skin of frosted aluminium panels will also allow the building to better blend into the surrounding landscape and park.
For the interior, circulation and free opening of the space is the focus of the design. The internal functions are divided into functional zones and streamlined according to the spatial form of the building’s shape, which tapers as it rises. The reading area is placed on the upper three floors, and the cultural education, physical training and administration office areas (each with separate entrances) are placed on the lower two floors on the east side of the building; it makes a reasonable zone-division while ensuring the ideal orientation and surroundings of each area. The stack room retains part of the intensive stacks while dispersing the stacks into each reading area, which keeps it open to each reading space. Considering the future reuse of the gas station and the renovation of the factory in Phase II, the library preconceived the connection of subsequent functions and circulation. The interior is designed to be simple and applicable, making use of natural light to highlight the characteristics of the space.
The structure utilises reinforced concrete cores combined with large-span steel box girders. The cores are also used as equipment pipeline wells and evacuation staircases and are also natural ventilation ducts that can draw air up and out for added ventilation. In terms of environmental protection and energy conservation, the abundant local geothermal resources are used for floor heating in winter, and the undulating ground is used for rainwater recycling.