Gwangju City to Hold Resident Briefing Session on Hanam City Library Design on the 10th

Architectural Concept for 'Gongwon-sok Doseogwan'... Target Completion in 2023

Aerial view of Hanam City Library. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 9th that it will hold a residents' briefing session on the 10th to gather residents' opinions on the planning and design of Hanam Municipal Library, the first municipal library in Gwangsan-gu, which is being promoted under the policy of 'One Autonomous District, One Municipal Library' during the 7th term of the elected government.

The residents' briefing session will be held at the Hanam-dong Administrative Welfare Center auditorium with attendance limited to fewer than 30 people to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and strict quarantine measures such as temperature checks and mask-wearing will be observed.

Hanam Municipal Library, conceptualized as a library within a park where nature and culture coexist, was selected as the winning design in the design competition held last December, receiving excellent evaluations for its emphasis on restoring the park's sense of place, the three-dimensional integration of the park and library, the connection of space and flow, and symbolism representing the texture of books.

The design features vertical circulation paths that provide convenience and diverse architectural experiences for users, and an efficient shelf management system for administrators. In particular, to manage infections continuously, the design incorporates spatial planning by management zones and a non-face-to-face lending and return system, introducing a design concept prepared for infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

Hanam Municipal Library, which will serve as a cultural complex hub in Gwangsan-gu, will include specialized functional spaces such as cultural classrooms, multipurpose spaces, exhibition spaces, discussion areas, and a book caf? for cultural education, experiences, and use by various social groups, in addition to reading areas.

Gwangju City is smoothly advancing the project with a total budget of 29.2 billion KRW, including 11.7 billion KRW in national funds, for a total floor area of approximately 7,050㎡, with one basement floor and four above-ground floors, securing ample landscaping space. The design is scheduled to be completed by this year, aiming for completion and opening in 2023.

Kim Young-geun, Director of the Cultural Infrastructure Division of the city, said, “Hanam District Municipal Library is the first municipal library to be built in Gwangsan-gu under the 7th term elected government's library construction policy, and local residents have high expectations.” He added, “We will carefully review residents' opinions to establish it as a representative cultural facility of Gwangsan-gu.”