gwangju main library
gwangju KR

A grouping of three buildings, which work in harmony through space and are used to activate the site located in Gwangju, South Korea.  Sited next to, but pulled away from the Factory Art Space, the new buildings create a plaza at sidewalk level. An urban moment at the edge of the city, the space draws pedestrians into the center of the site.  At the end of the plaza, a monumental stair that connects the existing structure to the two new buildings and form an elevated ground, the Plinth.

The plinth is the connective tissue that feeds into each of the three massings: Factory Art Space, Library Building, and Athletic Complex. The plinth is the primary meeting point; a covered, tempered exterior space for each distinct program and use to intermix. 

Factory Art Space

The old incinerator, cored out to reveal and expose a large interior volume, a space to show large scale art and installation-based exhibitions. The south side of the building is modified to allow a loading area with support spaces. The facade, clad in black terracotta, presents a stark contrast and setting the structure apart from both the immediate and greater surroundings.

Library Building

A building composed of three primary components: Children's Library, Reading Room, and Archive. The Children's Library, at the entry level and accessible from the lowest level, offers a semi-separated space for a large childrens collection with dedicated programming. The Reading Room, a large double height space located at the second level with prominence at the west facade, looking out over the site and landscape beyond. The volume is knuckled carefully around the auditorium and other core spaces. The Archive as the primary book storage spaces, is concentrated in the core of the building. It is adjacent to reading rooms, office spaces, and staff library.

Athletic Complex

A wrapping, ramped space, the Athletic Complex, presents a contiguous track flowing around a central courtyard. The track is interrupted by larger flat platforms equipped with activity spaces such as changing rooms, pool, sauna baths, small soccer pitch, and exercise spaces.

The western side of the site is newly shaped with landscaped topography.  The sloping terrain forms a retaining wall to hide the parked cars, and provides a sloping path up to the top of the Plinth. From the plinth, between the massings, one can view across the lifted landscape which hides the riverside roadway, over to the river and the agricultural fields beyond.  Leading one’s view across is the bridge, providing a connection to the riverfront path.