Doksan Library

_hyogeun_

The space around us does not easily change; examples include schools and libraries. Even after a decade, schools have only changed in interior design, with classrooms almost identical to those of our parents' generation except for the wooden floors. Libraries, similarly, evolve very slowly, being public buildings constructed with taxpayers' money, thereby warranting no wastage of space. Any failure in attempting new designs could become a significant issue, leading to only minor, almost unnoticeable changes over time. Fortunately, there's a growing realization that schools and libraries must break free from traditional designs, resulting in the emergence of unique spaces. One such space, born out of conservative architecture but transformed by the sensibilities of modern individuals, is the "Geumcheon-gu Doksan Library". Before its remodeling, it was indistinguishable from other libraries, surrounded by dense bookshelves, low ceilings, and familiar ceiling and floor finishes. Now, those elements are gone, and the entrance opens up to a spacious reading room. Breaking the ceiling for visual space without being greedy, the design is modest and clean. Light falling through the skylight brightens the interior, and stairs that also serve as seating areas allow even the busiest people to take a break. The central long table with a yard visible behind gives the impression of a home rather than a library, in stark contrast to the densely packed bookshelves beside it. The back of the building is complemented by a mountain, with trees providing a cool, calm backdrop. Unlike university libraries valued for the quantity and quality of their collections, community libraries like this might benefit from a bit of leisure space. The future of libraries may not be defined yet, but the current necessary form seems to be shifting towards such transformation, as exemplified by the "Geumcheon-gu Doksan Library".