Otepia
Building a Tree of High Knowledge
This is the first planned integration of prefectural and municipal libraries nationwide. In addition to the library, the “Voice and Braille Library” and “Mirai Science Museum” operated by Takachiho City are also included, making this a new library space that closely aligns with Takachiho’s “knowledge,” and the concept of “Takachi “Knowledge Tree” has been used as the design philosophy.
The number of books available for storage is the largest in Japan at approximately 2.05 million, and to efficiently store such a vast collection and make it easy to use, a closed storage library that holds 1.7 million books was set up in the center of the viewing space as a glass-covered space. This library serves as a structure core and is the “trunk” of this library.
Each floor has two layers of bookshelves in a high ceiling space; the reading space is an open space. The function space is arranged with an internal skylight at the perimeter, creating a space that flexibly expands according to the day or place. The exterior features a foliage structure that acts as a “leaf” to control the strong sunlight in Kochi while also allowing soft natural light to enter. Around the library, which opens widely to the outside, cafes and restaurants have also opened, making it a new hub of activity in Kochi and firmly rooted in the community.
Photo Gallery






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