This time, we would like to introduce "Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos," a complex facility located in Gifu Prefecture. It consists of three bases: the Gifu City Chuo Library,Community Activity Exchange Center, and the Multicultural Plaza.

Since its opening in 2015 (July 2015), it has been a hot spot with more than 1.2 million visitors in one year. We will introduce a lot of the special points and charm of the building of "Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos".

A beautiful building designed by a world-famous architect

A two-story building with a construction area of approximately 7,000 m2 and a total floor area of approximately 15,000 m2.

It was designed by Toyo Ito, winner of the Pritzker Prize, known as the "Nobel Prize for Architects." Mr. Ito is a world-renowned architect who creates innovative spaces using all kinds of materials and construction methods, such as Sendai Mediatheque, TOD'S Omotesando, and Tama Art University Library.

It has a wooden lattice roof made of Gifu Prefecture's Tono cypress, and the undulations of the roof are stacked using the flexure of the cypress. These are said to have been stacked one by one by craftsmen. The large roof covering the entire building is a one-of-a-kind building created from Mr. Ito's design ability, the power of the cypress, and the skill of the craftsmen.

Not only can it be visited as a complex, but it can also be enjoyed as a beautiful piece of architecture.

The facade of the building is a combination of wood, copper plate and glass.

The signage plan is by graphic designer Kenya Hara. There are many exciting designs to see in the museum!

Wooden lattice roof using Tono cypress

The tree-lined avenue on the west side of Mediacosmos, maintained along "Kinkabashi Street" on the west side, is called "Seseragi no Namiki Teniteo.

Entrance Hall" surrounded by the scent of wood

The moment you enter the museum, you will be enveloped by the good smell of wood. This is from the Tono cypress used for the main roof. The cypress contains a component called "phytoncide," which has a healing effect.

Now, let's go to the main second floor of the building.

​
Gifu City Chuo Library, a library that makes you visit again and again and stay for hours

When you go up to the second floor, you will find a one-room library in a vast space of about 89m x 80m. It is a very open space that is completely different from the conventional library.

Based on the concept of a "residencial library" that is close to the citizens, the library is a new type of library that both adults and children can enjoy, with a terrace and a reading café space where you can bring your own drinks. Of course, there is a wide variety of books.

"Globe" that can create an energy-saving and comfortable environment

The point of the library building is the "globe" that hangs like an umbrella from the ceiling. Not only is it beautiful as a design, but it also incorporates ingenuity to create an energy-saving and comfortable environment.

During the day, natural light is taken in from the upper skylight, and at night, LED lighting is used to create a dome of light. In addition, the center of the top light opens and closes vertically, and by closing it in winter, warm air is stored in the "globe", and in the interim season and summer, hot air is released to the outside.

The size of the top light differs depending on the "globe", and the amount of external light taken in changes.

The "globe" has received high acclaim, including winning the Best Lighting Design Award in the same year it was completed.

It all depends on how each of us spends our time.

"Gifu City Central Library" has more than 900 seats and is very spacious. There are 11 different areas, such as "Parent-Child Globe", "Literary Globe", and "Loose Globe".

Each surface is decorated with various patterns, such as a circle pattern for the general counter and a floral pattern for the children's area. The patterns are linked to the illustrations on the information boards, making it easy to find the area you want to visit.

This bench utilizes cypress from Gifu Prefecture.

It is also a point that various chairs and benches are placed. Please try to find your favorite place according to how you spend your time. We will pick up some areas and introduce them.

"Children's globe" where children can enjoy reading

Under the children's globe, elementary school children were studying and reading.

Children's reading space "Goron". It can be used up to the 6th grade of elementary school.

On the bookshelf is a section of recommended books handmade by the librarian. It will be fun to search for books!

This is the "Children's Globe" with reading materials for children. Children can bring books and magazines from nearby bookshelves and read or study under the globe.

Next door is the "Parent and Child Globe," a space where fathers and mothers and small children under 3 can play barefoot together.

"Kinkasan Terrace" where you can enjoy reading while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Gifu

This is the "Kinkazan Terrace" that faces Mt. Kinka. When the weather is nice, we recommend reading outside. In addition, there are a total of three terrace seats, "Hidamari Terrace" and "Namiki Terrace".

Sit comfortably on a wisteria chair and relax in the "Watch/Listen Seat"

This is the "see and hear seat" where you can view audiovisual materials from the library's collection. The rattan sofa was very comfortable. There are 6 seats, and they can be used for up to 3 hours at a time.

※Use reservation machine to apply

500 types! "Magazine Corner"

This is the magazine corner. There are about 500 different types! A wide range of magazines are available, from those often seen in bookstores to specialized ones you may be seeing for the first time. Back numbers are also well stocked.

Special space for junior and senior high school students "Young Adult"

Passes are placed on each desk to use the seats reserved for young adults. You can see the usage status at a glance.

A "talking room" where people can freely enter and chat.

Exchange bulletin board. All the replies from the library staff were so nice that I couldn't help but read all the sheets.

"Young Adult's Globes" is a special space for junior high and high school students. On this day as well, there were many students who were enthusiastic about reading and studying. The room was designed to make learning fun for junior and senior high school students, such as the "Learn Together Room," which can be used for group study, and the "Discourse Room," where students can freely enter and chat.

Library space that can be browsed freely "Hon no Kura"

In the central space of the library, there is a staircase and elevator leading to the "Hon no Kura," a first-floor stack space. Newspaper miniature editions, telephone directories, donated collections, and old materials are stored here. The library is open to the public and can be browsed freely.

Points for comfortable use of the library

The height of the bookshelf is also designed to be low, so each area is loosely connected.

A dedicated cart that can be loaded with luggage and books and moved smoothly.

There were 4 restrooms on the 2nd floor alone.

Other features such as low bookshelves and restrooms located near each area of the library make the library a comfortable place to spend time. These efforts may be the reason why people want to visit the library again and again as a "residential library.

Extensive facilities other than the library

The first floor is a place for citizens to interact, centering on the Citizens' Activities Exchange Center and Minna no Gallery. In the free space, you can enjoy eating and drinking freely. It's nice to have a space where you can take a break while reading or studying in the library.

"Dokidoki Terrace" is an open space where you can hold exhibitions and events.

"Minna no Gallery" is in front of the right. In the back is "Minna no Hall". A solo exhibition was also held on this day.

"Tsukuru Studio" can be used as a place for various preparatory work for meetings, materials creation, and activities, mainly for groups engaged in civic activities in Gifu City.

There is also a tatami space and a "children's room" where preschool children and their guardians can play and take a break.

There are Starbucks and Lawson in the building. Lawson also had a great selection of stationery.

A space that makes you want to stay for hours

"Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos" makes you want to get lost in the book forest and stay there for hours. It is a new facility that has never been seen before, packed with such excitement. Various ideas and considerations were made to make it comfortable for people of all ages to use. This is a place that people from Gifu Prefecture, as well as those from Aichi and Mie, should visit at least once. Why don't you go to Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos this weekend?