Musashino Art University New Library by Sou Fujimoto Architects

The Musashino Art University New Library designed by Sou Fujimoto is located in Kodaira, Tokyo. This building is completed in 2010 after a construction period of 3 years. The plan has an important role in this project. The 6,500 square-meter library is based on a spiral of wooden bookshelves. Plan, for Japanese architects, plays an crucial role because of the lack of space. Building construction is a matter of plan and methodology, as well as methodology is linked with plan. Smaller or larger is the building, the plan will remain important.

Musashino Art University Library, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Kodaira (Tokyo), Japan, © Sou Fujimoto Architects

The question that arises from the plan is how a library can provide an easy navigation within the building. Before opting for the spiral of wooden bookshelves, Fujimoto began to think of an organization by dispersing books varied in size. Yet, despite this interesting proposition, some issues raised concerning the navigation and the entrance. The client wanted a linear and fluid circulation between categories. The organization based on a spiral of wooden bookshelves appears to be more appropriate for a fluid and linear circulation within the building. The entrance situated at the north-east corner has been solved too. A subsidiary entrance will be used in the case of a complete main entrance.

Musashino Art UniGround-Floor plan and First-Floor Plan, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Kodaira (Tokyo), Japan, © Sou Fujimoto Architects

Musashino Art University Library — Plan, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Kodaira (Tokyo), Japan, © Sou Fujimoto Architects

Musashino Art University Library — Long Section, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Kodaira (Tokyo), Japan, © Sou Fujimoto Architects

The exterior cladding is based on glass screen, a 19mm float glass with tinted film which encapsulates the external red cedar skin. Large apertures connect the new library to its surroundings, essentially composed of cherry blossom trees that line large avenue. The image of these trees reflects on the façade. This strategy of reflection of the image of these cherry blossom trees on the façade constitutes a strategy for a place pleasing for the users.

Musashino Art University Library, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Kodaira (Tokyo), Japan, © Sou Fujimoto Architects. Originally appears on Yoxito

Materials used for the library is in total harmony with its surroundings. The building is made out of timber reinforced by steel frame cloaked in full-height wooden walls. The blond timber used for the internal help to diffuse light within the building from the ceiling made out of polycarbonate hollow double-layer panels while the external is in darker timber to fire protect the skin. Bookshelves also serve as wall and integrated into the building's structure and give this library a sense of visual as well as spatial continuity.

Musashino Art University Library, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Kodaira (Tokyo), Japan, © Sou Fujimoto Architects

Musashino Art University Library, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Kodaira (Tokyo), Japan, © Sou Fujimoto Architects

To help to the circulation, Sou Fujimoto has collaborated with graphic designer Taku Satô for the creation of large-scale numeric installations. This aims at facilitating the orientation and signal each subject category. These installations are completed by axial views through the book stacks which aims at improving orientation inside the building.

Musashino Art University Library, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Kodaira (Tokyo), Japan, © Sou Fujimoto Architects. Originally appeared on guen-k

Project Data
Project: Musashino Art University library
Team design: Sou Fujimoto Architects
Project team: Sou j. Fujimoto, Koji Aoki, Naganobu Matsumura Shintarô Honda, Tomoko Kosami, Takahiro "Naganobu Matsumura beatn Tomoko Atsurua
Size: 6500 m2
Location: Kodaira (Tokyo), Japan


Credits
Plans, design courtesy © Sou Fujimoto Arcthitecs
Some photographs originally appeared on guen-k and yoxito.