adrian smith + gordon gill: dancing dragons

‘dancing dragons’ by adrian smith + gordon gill, seoul, korea all images © adrian smith + gordon gill architecture

another pair of towers for the yongsan international business district, the ‘dancing dragons’ by chicago-based architects adrian smith and gordon gill of adrian smith + gordon gill architecture will join their practice’s collection of tall structures. containing a program of residential, officetel and retail, the pair of skyscrapers will set themselves apart from the extensive masterplan with an exterior aesthetic derived from traditional cultural influences. cantilevered from each of the 450 and 390 meter tall vertical cores, a series of miniature towers are applied and stacked on the facade, appearing to float beyond the building’s edges. the top and bottom of each projected element feature dramatic diagonal cuts which hearken to the eaves of korean pagodas.

sheathed with overlapping glazing units arranged in a scale-like pattern, the external appearance references the the skin of the mythical creatures directly referenced in the development’s name, yongsan, which means ‘dragon hill’. the curtain wall panels integrate operable 600mm vents the produce a breathable skin.

future skyline of the yongsan international district

aerial view of the towers and base

profile at dusk

main entrance

sunken podium and courtyards

atrium within the miniature towers

downward view within the miniature towers stacked along the building’s profile

detail of the overlapping curtain wall, mimicking the scales of a dragon

at night