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Library Remodeling Fundraising Campaign

The library is the heart of the university and

the light that illuminates the tomorrow of the university.

The library can be considered the ‘Heart of the university’ both functionally and spatially. However, now, nearly 50 years after its completion in 1975, the Main Building of the SNU Library has become very old and deteriorated.

The Main Building of the Central Library is the central institution for the learning and research activities of its students and is one of the few buildings that still preserves the history of Seoul National University.

Preserving the precious historical and cultural values that the Main Building holds, there is a need for a new challenge to remodel it into a library with state-of-the-art facilities and a pleasant environment where students can devote themselves to study and research. With the renovation of the Main Building, our young people will have the nest to develop their creativity, youthful imagination and warm sympathy to meet the challenges of our time.

Please participate in the Library Remodeling Fundraising Campaign so that the human resources who will lead the world in the future can fully pursue their dreams.You are the hope and motivation for nurturing future Korean talent.

Library Photo

The exterior wall of the Main Building has been eroded due to old age

Participate in the Campaign

보고서 표지

Library Repairing Fundraising Campaign Brochure.pdf

보고서 표지

10th Anniversary Report of Friends of the SNU Library.pdf

Library Photo

Damaged interior wall of Book Stacks

Library Photo

Old and rusty stairs

Library Photo

Saturated book stacks

Library Photo

Storm drains corroded due to long-term use

Library Photo

Facilities that require replacement, such as air conditioners

The heart of the education,
SNU Library

The location on campus and architectural structure of the Main Building of the SNU Library were designed based on the <Gwanak Campus Comprehensive Plan and Master Plan> completed in 1972. At that time, in the 『Comprehensive Campus Basic Design and Construction Report』 released in September 1972 by the American firm Dober, Paddock, Upton & Associate (DPUA), which was responsible for the design of the Gwanak Campus Master Plan, emphasized that ‘The library, whether in terms of its location in the master plan or its function, is to take on the key role across the university. …… Not only does the library play an academic and research role, but its exterior, located in the symbolic zone, needs to be somewhat grand, majestic, and symbolic.’

In the submitted report 『Library: Seoul National University Program and Design』, the location and functions of the library are described as follows.

The new library is the most significant building, both aesthetically and functionally, on the campus layout. It is also the largest building to be built on the new campus and is a pivotal building for the academic future of this prestigious national university. As evident in the attached blueprint, the library is centrally positioned on the campus, forming a node of the pedestrian circulation system. Most areas of the campus are within a 5 minutes’ walk from the library.

From the establishment of Seoul National University Master Plan, they established a common core with concentrated common facilities such as the main administration building, library, student union, and auditorium. And the library was designed to be representative space facing through the main access road.

DPUA가 작성한 캠퍼스 배치도

Campus layout map prepared by DPUA, an American campus service organization:
The Central Library is a 5-minute walk from most areas of the campus.

A pivot point of the campus that is easy to access

It is located behind the Main Building of the Seoul National University campus and on the pivot point of the campus, facing the Acropolis Square, the symbol of Seoul National University. The building layout took into consideration the following unique conditions of the site. In other words, it is centrally located between the liberal arts campus on the left and the science and engineering campus on the right, simultaneously facing the Acropolis Square in front. To meet these conditions, a passage penetrating the central part of the building was placed along its long side. This is to connect the liberal arts and the science and engineering campus on the 3rd floor and facilitate easy access from both sides.

Louis E. Martin&James A. Paddock 「Library: Program & Design Seoul National University』(1972)

At the time, Lee Gwang Noh, an honorary professor of Department of Architecture & Architectural Engineering and one of the initial designers of the Gwanak Campus, said that “In line with the expression ‘Heart of university education’, the campus is centered around the library. All buildings were within a 400m radius of the library. And at that time, every building’s location on the Gwanak Campus was measured in terms of ‘~meters from the Central Library’. The central corridor on the third floor of the library was referred to as the ‘Baekdong Line’, to the contour line 100m point.” (The University Newspaper, October 4, 1974, p. 11: ‘Special Report on the 28th Anniversary of the University – Current Status of the Gwanak Campus Construction.’) in an interview with The University Newspaper.

중앙도서관 공간 구성 단면도

Cross-section of space composition of the Central Library

A university landmark that represents the campus

As revealed in an interview with Professor Lee Gwang Noh, another distinctive feature of the Main Building of the Central Library is <the repetition of louvers>. Louvers blocking the westward sunlight are repeated on the facade of the building. This application creates a unique identity through the segmentation effect and deep shading effect resulting from the restrained use of decoration. This strong visual treatment aims to serve as a landmark for the front square. Culture Portal(2022. 11. 11.)

A similar approach has been applied to the exterior treatment of the Seoul National University Main Building. Professor Lee Gwang Noh explained, “To bestow a sense of monumentality to the landmark, sunshades with openings were installed to create fragmented shadows and shading effects, giving a unique feeling.” The University Newspaper, April 3, 2006.

In 1973, Junglim Architecture was responsible for the design and construction. In 2020, it received the 43rd Special Award from the Korean Institute of Architects (Muae 25-Year Architecture Award), which is bestowed upon structures that have surpassed the 25-year milestone since their completion.
Meanwhile, regarding this unique exterior, Yoo Tae-young (Tehje Architectural Office), the designer of the Kwanjeong Building, states in the “Design Intent of the Kwanjeong Building” in the “Guidebook for the Construction of the Kwanjeong Building” that the repetitive window structure of the Main Building of the Central Library is reflected in the basic concept of Kwanjeong Building design.

The Secret of the Infinite Hexahedron Architecture.

(The University Newspaper, April 3, 2006, p. 12)

Lee Gwang Noh, an honorary professor of Department of Architecture & Architectural Engineering and the initial designer of the Gwanak Campus, explained, “In order not to destroy the beautiful scenery of Gwanak Mountain, the design was based on low-rise structures.” He emphasized, “The Central Library, surrounded by consistent buildings, and the Acropolis Square in front of it are the core of the Gwanak Campus.”

The Central Library, which gives people a sense of majesty at first glance, is undeniably the center of Gwanak Campus. Professor Lee Gwang Noh highlighted, “With the belief that the library should be at the center of the university, a tunnel was excavated in the middle of the main administrative building to provide a clear view of the library.”

The tunnel penetrating the third floor of the Central Library is designed to connect the liberal arts and the science and engineering, maximizing accessibility to each department. The square grid pattern, reminiscent of the door frames in the traditional Korean house (Hanok), is a common feature across all initial buildings on the Gwanak Campus, providing a sense of unity. Professor Lee mentioned, “As seen from the Acropolis, square-shaped sunshades with openings create fragmented shadows and shading effects that give it a unique feeling. I intended to bestow a sense of monumentality to the landmark.”

Square-shaped sunshades with openings of the Central Library

Square-shaped sunshades with openings of the Main Building

Design Intent of the Kwanjeong Building
: A Building that Reflects the Heart

Just as all light originates from a light particle, the design began with one small architectural element that would project light. This concept strictly adheres to the principles of proportion (As seen in the blueprints from “Seoul National University Library: Program & Design” (Martin & Paddock, 1972), you can confirm that the dimensions of the repeating rectangular louvers on the exterior of the Central Library are as follows: the horizontal length is 2.44 meters, and the vertical length is 1.95 meters, which is 1.25 times the width.) applied to the existing Central Library, where the fundamental unit has a width of 1.25 meters and a length of 2.5 meters. Similar to the repetitive use of small units of stone in the walls of Deoksugung Palace or Changdeokgung Palace, the continuous repetition of small units with a width of 0.625 meters and a length of 2.25 meters aims to alleviate the massive scale of the new library and put dots of light on a metal canvas, similar to Kim Whan-ki’s paintings.

Ultimately, the constantly changing shape of the building depending on the light is intended to evoke people’s memories and emotions and give them a sense of abundance that can illuminate their hearts. The uncertainty of the light reflected by the building anticipates that people’s perceptions will react differently depending on their individual minds.

1972년 설계 당시 패독(James A, Paddock)이 그린 중앙도서관 외관

The exterior of the Central Library, as drawn by James A. Paddock, during the design in 1972

The Main Building of the SNU Library is the central institution for the learning and research activities of its students and is one of the few buildings that still preserves the history of Seoul National University.

Preserving the precious historical and cultural values that the Main Building holds, there is a need for a new challenge to remodel it into a library with state-of-the-art facilities and a pleasant environment where students can devote themselves to study and research.