-
Architects: Samoo Architects & Engineers
- Area: 21076 m²
- Year: 2013
-
Photographs:Young Chae Park
Text description provided by the architects. The National Library of Sejong City is the first branch facility of the National Library of Korea and is planned to be built in the Multifunctional Administrative City of Korea, also known as Sejong City. Designed by Samoo Architects & Engineers with the motif of a book page being turned over, a simple geometry of a gently curved paper forms the basis of the design and creates a unique outline that is easily recognizable as one of the landmark buildings of the city. As one of the strategies in designing the building, the library was also planned to become an Emotional Library, a place where analogue and digital formats converge for the convenience of the users and to maximize the possibilities of the library.
Planned to be the major resource & support facility to the newly relocated central government complex, the library will be a fundamental infrastructure for the government as well as the local citizens. Inside the library, an expansive open space with a splendid view of the lake provides an ultimate atmosphere for library users while a central pedestrian plaza forms an open space welcoming visitors inside the building. The expansive open spaces provide spatial connectivity throughout the library which also helps users in way-finding. Reading areas are located mainly on the 1st and 2nd floor with open layouts & easy accessibilities. Seminar rooms & conference facilities are located on the 3rd floor while the upper-most floors provide dining facilities & roof-top terraces with open view of the surroundings.
Due to the unique shape and geometry of the building, the project was initiated with BIM (Building Information Modeling) from the beginning. Major structural elements such as slab, columns, and cores were modeled with BIM in order to confirm the viability of the required programs as well as constructability. BIM provided solutions to pre-construction simulations of interoperability among various disciplines and manufacturing of unique panels and curtain wall systems that was fundamental to the unique geometries of this project.
With the completion of construction recently, the library is currently in preparation stage for official opening in the end of 2013. As a unique landmark facility, the library will become an important asset to the city providing a platform for cultural activities & interactions.
