Sarangbang사랑방and Daecheong Maru 대청마루

[ URBAN ROOM + Garden ]

Passing down Knowledge –
An Urban Room of Knowledge

Libraries store knowledge and allow knowledge gain traditionally by way of reading books which is solo activity; in nowadays information era, a transformation is necessary.
We envisage GENERATING KNOWLEDGE. Exchange and sublimation of thoughts in addition to reading shall be encouraged. Our next question is: What space generates knowledge? Abandoning the shell of a simple library, we design an URBAN ROOM of knowledge.
We intend to design a space that encourages interactions, discussions, activities and time spent in gaining knowledge. Knowledge gain is no longer personal – it is now an activity with infinity possibilities. Space and atmosphere for interactions render important as the traditional quiet reading zone.

Sarangbang 사랑방
Daecheong Maru 대청마루

How to best shape this urban room? We have taken reference from traditional Korean architecture – Sarangbang and Daecheong Maru to resemble the change in gathering place when climate changes.
We have applied this wisdom to our design. “Daecheong Maru” has been adopted in front of the entrance hall in order to create semi-outdoor activity venues. Outdoor seats with tablets, connecting with e-platform of library information, will be provided. In other words the Maru areas serve as a 24–7 mini library extension. Part of the entrance hall is designed as “Sarangbang”, which is an extension of the event space of Maru. The design of interconnected Maru and Sarangbang encourages indoor–outdoor interactions in a relaxed atmosphere and symbolizes opening the doors to knowledge generation. With a variety of activities, we believe the room will become a reputable cultural amenity in the region.

Architecture
A huge common space at the centre of the libraryis open and vibrant that welcomes communal events. It is spacious and flexible enough to accommodate several events simultaneously. This room directs visitors to cluster at the centre, as a result the opportunities of interactions arise, and serve perfectly as knowledge, life-long education, social, cultural, leisure & amenity centre.
As it is crucial to attract the public, apparent entrances are created on the access roads of the site. In this regard, three building mass are naturally formed. Instead of three stand alone buildings, we design a circulation network under one envelop. Visiting various sections/ blocks induces a fruitful journey – a journey of different information cluster & discussions. People wander and obtain knowledge from others’ behaviors and through interactions.
The façade of the building is designed to incorporate full height bookshelves so that the majority of books are stored at the periphery of the library. An envelope of bookshelves highly resembles the nature of the building, and also helps to store a large quantity of books. Thus fewer books will be placed in the middle space, and maximizes interaction areas of the urban room.

“DAECHEONG MARU” –
OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGE

URBAN ROOM –
A PLACE TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE THROUGH INTERACTIONS

TREE CONES –
BRING NATURAL ENVIRONMENT INTO INTERIOR

In other areas, Lifelong Study Room and Multi-purpose Hall are designed into one open plan, which divided into several rooms using of movable partitions, providing high flexibility to meet the unexpected. Also the multi-purpose hall is directly connected to one of the “Maru” areas, as an extension of hall. Nuisance to other areas, caused by the ingress/ egress of events, could be avoided.

ADULT LIBRARY –
unobstructed view to the Daecheong Maru

In adult library section, bookshelves are arranged in similar way as traditional libraries because it is the most efficient way of searching necessary books. While the reading areas are designed into steps in order tocreate an unobstructed view to the Daecheong Maru at ground floor. In times of holding special events, these reading steps could become the spectator stand of the Daecheong Maru.

LIBRARY AND BRIDGES –
GRADUAL CHANGES FROM READING TO INTERACTIONS

CHILDREN LIBRARY –
stepped terraces DIVIDE SPACES INTO sub-sections

Distinct interiors are adopted for different sections. Stepped terraces are adopted in child section to accommodate different sub-sections such as infant, youngsters, digital data centre, storytelling, listening, etc. Structures similar to observers stand will allow parents to read and at the same time keep an eye on their children.