Children's Library in Kuroishi/Japan
This building primarily serves as a library and reading room for children; however, it is also open to the general public. It is situated directly on the shore of Lake Towada, in the middle of an apple orchard, next to a small stream that flows into the lake. The building's basic form is a variation on a typical local shop building type: the relatively low perimeter walls are spanned by a wide, projecting gable roof, supported by round columns and creating a spacious interior. Since winters in this northern region are snowy, covered outdoor areas had to be created all around. At the front of the building, a large covered plaza extends from the reading room, which also serves as a sheltered seating and play area in the summer.
