University Library

Role: Designer @ RAD Ltd.
Location: Jeonju, South Korea
Client: Jeonju University
Year: 2005-2011
Status: Built
Size: 25,000sqm
Structural Consultants: GIL Architecture Engineer Co.Ltd
Program:

The new central library of Jeongju University is more than a library. The winner of this internationally invited competition should embody other functions, which create a more active center for the campus. Creating additional programs is only one part of the activation strategy though. Analyzing the campus, we found a rather homogeneous fabric of large open spaces, building slabs, large open spaces, etc. The campus follows the typology of a park-like campus. Our main challenge was therefore, how to create a critical mass in the center of the campus, which attracts students, both programmatically and spatially, and has the potential to generate a highly complex because of surprising organization. The internal organization is a loop within a loop. There is a public loop
which connects the campus with the building and an internal loop that connects the programs inside to each other.

Facade
The outer facade is a rhythmic development of small windows, which relate to the programmatic needs of the interior spaces. The facade densifies towards the programmatic zones, which are sensitive to light, and opens up in areas, which are less sensitive to weather and sunlight. The inner facade in contrast is mainly glazed, as it provides a close relation between the interior program and the exterior plaza.

Convention Center
The building houses a convention facility with an auditorium for 250 people and a multifunctional hall for 500 people. Eight seminar rooms are the supporting facilities for the big halls. Being located at the opposite side of the library, the convention center forms a second entrance to the building from the west side. A vertical trajectory brings the user through the atrium and connects on a higher floor to a passage toward the library itself. This connection enables the fully public and 24-hour active nature of the Star Center.

24 Hours Library
The library is a 24-hour open library. To enhance this character, the main entrance is attached to an interior street, which connects the inner plaza of the Star Center with the western entrance to the building. The experience of that inner passage is rather public and a continuation of the exterior materials and rules. The passage allows visual and physical connections to both the library as well as the exterior, such as the roof garden.

Roof
With this building having a large footprint, the roof plays a crucial role regarding environmental impact. To avoid heat island effects to the surrounding, large areas are cut into the surface and slope down to lower floors, in order to allow larger roof garden areas. The non-green areas of the roof will be covered with another layer of industrial fiberglass grating 500 mm off the roof surface. The grating performs as another shading device for the roof slab and thus avoids overheating of the building as well as a heat island effect.