The furniture and space for encountering and interacting

The library with a cozy atmosphere

Abstract

Public libraries are evolving from spaces just for reading and studying into open cultural hubs that foster discovery, lifestyle exploration, and idea exchange. The Ishikawa Prefectural Library embodies this transformation, with Ishikawa Prefecture conducting thorough research and selecting the Environment Design Institute, led by Mitsuru Senda, as the architectural designer through a 2017 public proposal. Our team later joined as furniture and fixture designers.
The Library aspires to attract diverse visitors, offering a space where people of all ages find value and return often. Furniture plays a key role, supporting readers’ actions—resting, placing belongings, and reading—and enriching their experience with books.
This article highlights the design process from the user’s perspective, focusing on creating a harmonious environment and enhancing the Library’s core activities: “enjoying books, seeking knowledge, and thinking with books.”