Land and Library

One of the best public facilities is a library. A library of outstanding aesthetic beauty is even better.

A few years ago we travelled to Toyama. One spot we visited was the Toyama City Library, a Kengo Kuma-designed glass-and-wood-heavy edifice. It was a highlight of the trip. We talked about how nice it would be if Hachioji were to replace its functional but aged Chuo Library with that kind of facility.

On October 3, Hachioji will open a new park / multipurpose complex called 桑都の杜 / Sōto no Mori. The large property will include a fancy library element. It is just south of JR Hachioji Station. The large plot of land used to be a hospital prison that closed. The Boss got the national government to cede the prime land to the city. (“Sōto no Mori” means approximately “mulberry city forest.” Hachioji was a longtime place of sericulture and producer of textiles. Mulberry leaves are what silkworms eat.)

I hope the new library is nice. It is advertised as nice. I’ll use it to lounge and read and blog.

Our future family trips will also include more libraries, especially those of note. Spaces that make a person want to sit and read and think are one of the best ideas humans have produced. The stage of life at which I got this sentiment is reflective of my lack of reflection, but I’m happy to have it. Library tourism has me excited. What a pleasure to be an old man.

The Toyama City Library interior

Now that my land purchase is complete, I’m ramping up the thinking process for what kind of building to build there. This idea of a library-esque space is a strong element. I’ll not engage in the folly of offering a completely public facility. I will try to make a space that’s delicious to work in, and maybe there will be ways to invite lots of people into it without adverse impact.

A shared office arrangement might be nice. My company’s Utah office uses a space leased by an international shared office provider. I’m going to look at whether purpose-building a Takao location is feasible. Having that kind of space in the middle floors, some interesting retail shops at street level, and my company on the top floor would be ideal and a boon to the community.

Our kids are both studying for school entrance exams. Today we four came to a coffee shop to have beverages and fancy pancakes and study or read. It’s a pleasant time. We focus in on our respective materials and chat intermittently.