Core: A Vision of Community-Centered Architecture

Project by: 윤규 최, 예은 유, Minyoung Choi

Honorable Mention entry of Libgen 2019

In an era where digital saturation often distances us from meaningful interaction, libraries are being reimagined not as static archives, but as dynamic, community-centered architecture that pulses with activity, exchange, and renewal. "Core" is one such architectural concept that transforms the traditional library into the living, breathing heart of the city.

Inspired by the human heart and the idea of continuous circulation, the project envisions the library as a vital organ within the urban fabric—a place that constantly pumps knowledge, connectivity, and culture. If the heart stops, the body fails. Likewise, if the communal core ceases to evolve, the city loses its pulse. This metaphor anchors every aspect of the library's architectural narrative.

The central design theme, aptly named "Main Core," is the nucleus around which all other spaces orbit. Each programmatic zone—from the children's zone to the lecture hall, from the media center to the rooftop garden—is strategically positioned around this core, ensuring seamless circulation and visual connectivity. The layout fosters interaction, inviting visitors to move organically through learning zones, recreational areas, and reflective spaces.

The building's curvilinear form, wrapped in a flexible, flowing façade, mimics the organic structure of the human heart. This soft geometry not only enhances the building's aesthetic harmony with its surroundings, but also promotes fluid movement inside. Transparency and openness guide the architectural language, establishing a sense of collective belonging and shared experience.

The exploded axonometric view reveals the layers of interconnected spaces: at the base lies the Main Core, radiating energy and activity through the vertical spine of the structure. Above it are layered cultural and social nodes—a hotel, a lecture hall, working spaces, and libraries—each flowing into the next, culminating in the open-air roof garden that crowns the structure with calm and contemplation.

Site analysis further reinforces the library's role as a connector: weather studies, overlapping community zones, and accessibility mapping reveal a highly approachable structure embedded in daily urban rhythms. It is not merely a building; it is a gathering point where education, social interaction, and environmental mindfulness intersect.

"Core" is a beacon of future-forward thinking in community-centered architecture. It demonstrates how spatial design can foster emotional, intellectual, and cultural engagement in an age where such touchpoints are increasingly rare. By placing human connection at its center—both literally and metaphorically—this project redefines what a library can be in the 21st century.