Land Area : 9,427 m2
Building Area : 2,704 m2
Gross Floor Area : 12,937 m2
Landscape Area : 1,520 m2
Public Open Space : 3,302 m2
The number of Parking Lots : (Underground) 53 cars / (Above ground) 2 cars
Location : Songdo, Incheon, South Korea
Concept Sketch
[Design Description]
In the heart of Songdo, where the future is now, a groundbreaking architectural concept has taken root, one that is set to redefine the city’s skyline and cultural landscape. With its strategic geopolitical and geographical placement, Songdo is on the cusp of transforming into a global hub, a destination marked by its international character and forward-looking spirit.
The design concept for this new landmark is nothing short of transformative. It seeks to not only strengthen the city’s cultural fabric but also to solidify Songdo’s standing on the world stage. Perched adjacent to a vibrant international airport, with the perpetual ballet of ascending and descending planes, the site is a testament to possibility—a nexus where the vastness of the sea meets the infinity of the sky, all while gazing upon the wide, open west coast.
This is where the vision for an iconic library takes shape—a structure that is envisioned as much more than a repository of books. It stands as a beacon of knowledge, an architectural embodiment of the ocean itself, encompassing and celebrating the boundless dreams and limitless imaginations of those who seek to explore beyond the horizon.
Upon entering this space, guests are not simply walking into a building; they are stepping into an expansive narrative. The library’s design harmoniously blends its inner sanctum with an evocative exterior facade, creating a seamless dialogue between the structure and its environs. It aspires to be a dynamic hub for knowledge exchange, fostering a free-flowing community of ideas among the residents and global visitors of Songdo.
Drawing inspiration from the fluidity of the sea, the outer facade mirrors the rhythmic waves—a symphony in architectural form. Inside, the space is conceived as a stack of literary wisdom, akin to books cradled by the ocean’s embrace, each volume brimming with stories yet to be discovered. It is a cradle for creativity, an expansive and immersive environment where one’s dreams are as vast as the ocean itself.
The interior is designed to energize and engage, with a variety of movements and interactions encouraged by the strategic design of communal spaces. These communal areas, varied in scale and situated at key points throughout the library, invite introspection and interaction, offering a sanctuary for study and the exchange of thoughts.
The library’s influence extends outward to an inviting public plaza, a landscape square that resonates with the theme of the ocean waves. This outdoor refuge, complete with seating and diverse plant life, becomes a magnet for social interaction and leisure—a place where visitors are drawn to pause, reflect, and connect.
A semi-transparent fabric canopy weaves throughout the space, filtering light and air to craft an ambiance that is both comforting and inspiring. This is a place where nature is not only observed but experienced, where the outside world is brought in, and the inner world is given a panoramic stage.
In Songdo’s library, every element is meticulously designed to encourage visitors to open the book of their imagination to a page without end, in a space where the narrative of nature and the poetry of knowledge coalesce into a symphony of architectural elegance.
MUSE Design Award 2022
Result : Platinum & Gold Prize Awarded
Designed by KIM MIN JAE
And…
This project was exhibited in ‘The Art of Sketching’ Exhibition.
