Abstract
Among the community-based cultural facilities, public libraries are places for social and educational purpose that improve the education of the resident, the expansion of the basic cultural education, communication between the members of society, and the accumulations and preservations of the culture. Public libraries should be a local cultural facility that expresses the value of a community. This study aims to analyze the design expression of publicness in a public branch library as a community-based cultural space through the study of branch library in the U.S. This study focused on the most future-oriented and innovative Ten New Landmark Libraries in the United States selected by Library Journal magazine in 2011. Among the selected libraries, three branch libraries which belongs Arizona Maricopa County were included in the study. The results of this study are as follows. First, the sites of the branch libraries vary geographically, but the libraries increase accessibility are caused by unique appearances and design concept of intellectual interest. Second, the floor plan shows the separation of meeting rooms and faculty space from the public space and has visual and spatial open space by high ceiling of the reading room. Third, multi-functional public space for residents are meeting rooms, the external patios for reading, galleries, cafes, libraries-shops which provides a variety of cultural programs, activities, and the opportunity to socialize neighbors. Fourth, branch Libraries have unique designs that harmonizes with nearby places to reflect locality, giving the locals a sense of pride in their community. Fifth, concrete brick and metal panel were used as finishing material for the practicality of maintenance. In particular, transparent glass envelope allows the locals to stay for long time due to openness and brightness of space.