Takeo City Children's Library Wins 2020 Good Design Award

2020.10.12 Press Releases
Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd.

-Evaluated in the public architecture and space classification for its "unique functions and corresponding spaces that go beyond the traditional library"-

We are pleased to announce that Takeo City Children's Library (5304-1 Takeo, Takeo-cho, Takeo City, Saga Prefecture), which opened on October 1, 2017 in Takeo City, Saga Prefecture (Mayor: Masashi Komatsu, hereinafter referred to as "Takeo City"), has won the 2020 Good Design Award sponsored by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, a public interest incorporated foundation. Takeo City Library and Historical Museum won the Good Design Gold Award in 2013.

Takeo City Children's Library was completed next to the Takeo City Library and Historical Museum as a new space where children can have fun and learn 365 days a year, with a collection of approximately 20,000 books, mainly picture books, and themes such as thinking and playing, creating and playing, and playing in Takeo and nature.

October 1, 2020 marks the third anniversary of the museum's opening, and over the past three years, the museum has welcomed over 546,000 visitors.
Takeo City Children's Library offers many opportunities for children to move their bodies freely and interact with books freely.
The most popular area in the library is the Picture Book Mountain, where librarians and volunteer groups hold storytimes every day. Events are held not only inside the building but also outdoors at Shibafu Square, making the entire facility a place to hang out like a large hall in a home. Over the past three years, we have held over 3,000 events, with over 80,000 people participating.

The Good Design Award is announced annually by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, a public foundation, and is evaluated not only on the merits of the design, but also on how the design has changed people's lives and society. The Takeo City Children's Library was awarded in the "Public Building" category by the three parties: Takeo City, Sato Sogo Keikaku Co., Ltd., and Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. The judges commented, "It is a unique facility that goes beyond being just a library. The library's particular focus is on providing support for child-rearing, and it was praised for being planned as a facility that combines child-rearing support functions with a facility where multiple generations can interact, with a focus on children, leading to this award. Encouraged by this Good Design Award, Takeo City Children's Library will continue to strive to be a place where children can discover many new possibilities and where raising children can be fun. As a library of high value to the public, we will continue to reflect the voices of visitors and users and innovate.

(Reference material)
■Background to winning the Good Design Award

*Full text quoted from the Good Design Award website URL:https://www.g-mark.org/award/describe/50998

Takeo City Library, which was renovated and reopened in 2013, has 800,000 visitors per year and is used by people of all ages, making it popular. However, there was a need to expand the space to accommodate the increased usage. In addition, in order to put into practice "childcare support," which the city has positioned as its most important policy, plans are underway to build an integrated library adjacent to Takeo City Library that will combine "a facility with childcare support functions" and "a facility where multiple generations, mainly children, can interact."The site is located in a lush green landscape with the approach to Takeo Shrine and the Yabusame horse riding ground running in front of it. The planned site, which was once terraced fields, now has cherry blossoms lining the front walkway, a large camphor tree overlooking the site in the background, and behind that stands Mount Mifune, the city's symbol. In order to make the most of this location, the design was developed by incorporating three elements: 1) a floor layout that follows the elevation difference, 2) incorporating the surrounding nature to the maximum extent possible, and 3) a large roof that gives a sense of security like the large hall of a "home."

■ Comments from the judges on the "Takeo City Children's Library" upon receiving the Good Design Award

*Full text quoted from the Good Design Award website URL:https://www.g-mark.org/award/describe/50998

Although this facility is called a library, its programs are unique and go beyond that. The library is particularly focused on providing support for child-rearing, and is planned as a facility that combines child-rearing support functions with a facility where multiple generations can interact, with a focus on children. To accommodate this distinctive program, the architects proposed a design that "creates a large roof that gives a sense of security like the great hall of a house," and we commend them for creating a space that responds to the program.

Name: Takeo City Children's Library
Address: 5304-1 Takeo, Takeo-cho, Takeo City, Saga Prefecture
Opening date: October 1, 2017
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Closed: None. Open all year round.
Number of books: Approximately 20,000
Seating capacity: 130 seats
Site area: 1439.00㎡
Total building area: 691.34㎡
Designated manager: Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd.

Materials related to this matter

Takeo City Children's Library Wins 2020 Good Design Award

Inquiries regarding this matter
Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. Public Relations: Mariko Hanai / 03-6800-3570