Songdo Library Competition
Location：Songdo, Korea
Area: 9427m2
Competition
2021
PAGE CANYON – NATURAL LANDSCAPE IN A DIGITAL AGE. This library offers exterior space to promote health, versatility of use, and a natural landscape to enhance ones connection with nature. Like an open book, this transformative structure offers unending possibilities ranging from a serene monumental canyon throughout the day to a striking and engaging public street of knowledge at night. In a post-pandemic digital world, buildings, especially libraries, need to adapt and offer exterior space that embraces nature to foster a healthier built environment. The concept for Page Canyon addresses these issues and stands as an example in creating a sustainable healthy future for generations to come.
VEGETATION. Traditional libraries typically keep their vegetation limited to the ground floor on theexterior of the building.With the terraced balconies of the Canyon, vegetation is able to be planted on every floor, all the way up to the accessible green roof. Having trees and natural vegetation encompassing this place of personal growth improves the quality of the space.
HOURS OF OPERATION. Traditional libraries maintain business hours of operation. When they close their doors at night, their resources become temporarily unavailable. When the sun begins to set, the Canyon becomes alive with interactive projections on its undulating facades. It is here that the public can access the library’s content through their app and view it projected on the large page-like panels. This open-air space is a safe place for people to meet, gather, and enjoy the endless knowledge and culture available through the library.
TAKING A NIGHT TOUR TO THE CANYON. The Canyon is a lively place during the day and at night. When the sun begins to set, the façade of the Canyon clocks in for after hours duty. It is here, between these two terraced walls that the public is able to continue to access library content, but through a digital medium. The interactive illumination are materialized by specialty lighting products that can be digitally controlled and programed.
