Cianjhen District Kaohsiung Main Public Library
The design of the Kaohsiung Main Public Library symbolizes the symbiotic relationship between people and trees by introducing the image of “trees in a library; a library in trees.” The library opens a space on the first floor to create a semi-outdoor plaza cloister for the public to gather and connect with the greenery-filled Singuang Rd. Regarding the building’s structure, a suspended design was incorporated to build an open, column-free library space. On the south and west wings are spacious balconies lush with potted plants commonly seen in Kaohsiung houses. The four sides of the building are surrounded by service boxes, with glass and steel columns utilized to form a transparent tree-like structure. For better lighting, holes were added horizontally to solve the issue of illuminating large floor areas. Technology was further employed to build a green reading environment that “breathes” hot and cold air as a solution for the urban heat problem. The New Bay Garden on the top floor has become a new landmark, where visitors can enjoy the pleasant evening view, sea breeze, and a cultural atmosphere.
前鎮／高雄市立圖書館總館
現代的圖書館不僅提供城市藏書的需要，更是一種當代的生活型態，2014年高雄市立圖書館總館完成以後，絡繹不絕的人潮便詮釋了一個以資訊與知識為主的時代意象，在這裡不僅可以閱讀、吸收知識，更有著咖啡、餐飲、孩童圖書館、藝文展演與講座的舉辦等可能性，這呼應傳統以農為生的台灣傳統社會，對於榕樹下匯聚生活、知識交換、交流情誼的想像。
高雄市立圖書館總館的設計就回應著人們與樹木之間共生的關係，『樹中有館，館中有樹』的生活意象，並且讓出一樓空間，營造出半戶外的廣場迴廊提供市民聚會，並且連接充滿綠意的新光路。建築構造採懸吊式模組設計，藉此創造出通透的無柱內部圖書空間、南側西側寬闊反映高雄厝的綠植陽台。建築的主要結構為四邊以服務盒圍成的結構系統，並採用玻璃與鋼柱構成通透的樹狀結構。為了良好的採光，平面上更增加上下穿透的樹洞，不僅可以增加大面積樓地板的內部採光問題，更增加冷熱空氣交換，運用科技解決都市產生的綠島效應，也創造出綠意盎然的閱讀環境。位於頂樓的新灣花園更變成新興景點，望著晚霞，吹著海風，傍著文化的大樹，成為屬於港都美好的享受。
文／劉呈祥
圖／高雄市政府文化局