Munsan Library Paju, South Korea

The Munsan Library in Paju, located north of Seoul …

… is far more than a place for reading and literary discovery. Nestled within a park, this newly built facility serves simultaneously as a sociocultural hub for the local community. True to that vision, its spatial program was thoughtfully designed to accommodate a wide range of users — from toddlers to senior citizens.

The four-story building is fully accessible throughout: ramps, height-adjustable furniture, call systems, and Braille signage ensure independent use for visitors with limited mobility or visual impairments. An AI-powered service robot and a lobby equipped with a media wall further assist with wayfinding. The library's commitment to serving diverse audiences is equally evident in its specialized areas, which encourage social interaction and invite visitors to linger. Alongside a traditional reading room and a café, the children's section features a so-called media aquarium, while the immersive experience zone allows visitors to step directly into scenes from books through screens and sensor technology.

To reinforce the building's welcoming character in spatial terms, the interior design — and the textile flooring in particular — draws on a palette of bright, lively colors. The tufted loop-pile carpet tile NEBA in orange-yellow (282), green (488), and blue (389) defines and visually separates the individual departments. The carpet plank HATÉMA 05 in blue-gray (376) integrates seamlessly into this color concept while also subtly guiding visitors through the circulation corridors and into the deeper reaches of each room. Together, the two collections lend the Munsan Library an open, inviting atmos-phere — and affirm its identity as a modern, forward-looking place full of life.