Abstract
This study aims to analyze the design of public libraries which act as anchors in culture-led urban regeneration. They have been built as city's symbols as well as catalysts to revitalize city centers and urban spaces since the 1990s. This study finds that the public libraries play roles in the urban development as cultural icons, multi-functional spaces, and public domain. This study examines the five examples of the libraries and finds their important design qualities as follow. First, public libraries are planned to symbolize local culture and history as cultural icons. The shapes of public libraries are expressed with sculptured cultural icons, while their facades are designed to signify cities' identities and images. Second, public libraries in culture-led urban regeneration have multi-functional spaces which provide diverse activities and experiences to visitors. The libraries often have galleries and theaters for cultural life, cafes and shops for daily uses, educational facilities, as well as public services, parking, and transport systems that connect to urban infrastructure. Third, the public libraries become the anchors of surrounding public spaces and cultural buildings. The libraries have the sequences of approach from entry plazas, transitional zones, and entrances to lobbies. Especially the transitional zones between the libraries and the cities that are covered with giant cantilevers expand the libraries' space and establish attractive urban spaces. Forth, the libraries employ nature and cityscapes in their design. The surfaces and openings of the libraries are adjusted to allow many attractive views to visitors. Fifth, the libraries have big lobby spaces which are the centers of the buildings as well as the public domain. The lobby spaces are designed as in-door spaces like out-doors with vertical and horizontal openness that allow the natural flows of light from ceilings, glass walls and vertical voids.