Architecture never lost in town

Sumaura Library is a picture-book library presided privately by our client, Mr. Masaki Hayashi. Over years and years, he had shared his books with local kids to have them enjoy feeling the books close.

A place for kids to take picture books in their hands and for parents to communicate with each other ------ the library was renewed to commemorate his such activities of 30 years.

《Awarded the Kobe City Urban Design Award 2011》

Space configurations

• A site like an arena stage ---- This site is exposed in many directions since it is surrounded by roads on three sides, one more road nearby the rest another road nearby on the northern side. On the west, there is a penthouse and a housing complex where the client lives, so it can be seen from above as well. A situation like this is rarely found in an urban district, making it a high-potential area that’s suited for Sumaura Library.
• From the situation of the area, there was a need to create a three-dimensional architectural work that looked fine when viewed from all directions, including upwards. It was our vision to create an architecture that will not be buried inside the town, even though it is much smaller in size than the other buildings around. We thought that we could make a strong architectural work by forming it as a dug-out ore instead of sticking with the normal horizontal and vertical shape, the building will look impressive seen from any direction.
• The idea for the shape of the “ore” shown in the floor plan came from a ship; sea is something deeply related to this building – the site is located near the sea, and we met the client on a cruising ship. He has a wish for the kids to read a lot of books and to be brought into a fantasy world on this “ark”, and a prayer for their experiences in this library to nurture their creativity and sensibility.