Located at a prominent vantage point overlooking the open grounds of the golf course and across the main road of the Convensia-daero, the project brings new life and a dynamic energy with its light filled reading rooms positioned overhead an active, open and inclusive public platform at the base.
The complex responds to three major characteristics of the surrounding urban context. It creates a large pedestrian and cyclists plaza at the North East that looks towards the major approach from the city. Secondly, vehicles, for those visiting, dropping off books or for staff, occupy the North West quadrant of the plot for a smooth flow into the building without any obstruction, crossflow or interference with pedestrian entry paths.Thirdly, the South West and South East portions of the site are kept completely green, drawing in the buffer green from the Convensia-daero and responding to the vast greens of the golf course beyond.
Central Library is a library for the 21st century, conceived anew for a large number of major world cities, becoming a space for urban life to congregate around knowledge, culture and the community. The Songdo Central Library becomes a multilayered public space where functions centred around the community are kept open and are freely accessible.
The 'Base building' sinks into the earth to allow cascading stairs to flow down to the open public court, around which public activities are arranged. The roof of this 'Base' becomes a dynamic entity that gets 'claimed' by children and visitors who may walk all over it and find a new way to enter the Public Reading Rooms above.
The Children's Library and the General Public Library and Reading areas sit in a space enriched with light under a roof that dips and rises, a massive loft for the city and its inhabitants to enjoy.
The reading areas are oriented with their larger aspects stretching East to West so that they maximise availability of natural light and views over the greens to the South. Circulation cores for visitors and for staff and services are at two ends of these spaces, allowing an easy connection between service areas, while also allowing the processional route of the visiting public to continue unhindered. The large floor plates offer flexibility for multiple configurations of internal furniture and stacks.
The sharply inclined lines of the building, climbing and dipping, recall the sloping roofs of traditional Korean architecture. The building also forms an open gateway, a portal, again a gesture that is seen across the traditional architecture of the region.
The new Songdo Central Library sensitively employs technology and design intelligence to minimise its ecological footprint, both literally and figuratively. A compact plan allows about 70% of the site to be kept green and for public access. Natural light is maximised with large glazed aspects towards the South for letting in the Winter sun. Intelligent building systems such as automated sun control systems and an intelligent building management system optimise energy usage. Most of the spaces have operable facades to open up, allowing for the possibility of natural ventilation for appropriate areas during times of pleasant weather. The envelope is an insulating skin with high thermal mass, optimising underfloor radiant heating and cooling systems.