Abstract

This study aimed to derive implications for the construction and remodeling of public libraries in Korea by focusing on the necessity of reflecting regional identity in the architectural process of region-based public libraries and by analyzing award-winning public library architecture cases in Japan, where regionality has been actively implemented in public library design. To this end, an inductive case analysis was conducted on 46 public libraries in Japan that received major architectural awards between 2019 and 2024. The analysis identified six major types of approaches to the implementation of regionality in public library architecture: (1) harmony with the surrounding environment of the building (63%), (2) use of locally produced building materials (44%), (3) reflection of natural and geographical environments (39%), (4) reflection of historical and cultural elements (37%), (5) participation of local companies and workforce (26%), and (6) reflection of local industries and specialty products (15.2%). Notably, 67% of the libraries analyzed applied two or more types of regionality implementation simultaneously, indicating that regionality had been considered a core principle from the early stages of the architectural process. Based on these findings, this study proposed several measures to strengthen the implementation of regionality in public library architecture in Korea, including the systematic organization of regional narrative elements, the expansion of participation by local residents and experts, the establishment of an architectural award at the level of the Korean Library Association, and the strengthening of research activities related to public library architecture in both library practice and the field of library and information science.