kyu sung woo architects: asian culture complex in gwangju, south korea

asian culture complex by kyu sung woo architects

american based korean architect kyu sung woo has designed the asian culture complex for may 18th democracy plaza in downtown gwangju, south korea.

woo’s design exploits natural light, with glass cube skylights, light tubes, clerestories, light shelves, and transparent scrims, to create a literal connection with nature and a spiritual one to korea’s ‘city of light.’ the new landmark’s below-grade construction carves an innovative architectural core in a 1.4 million square foot public landscape. taking as its themes flexibility, light, and connection to nature, and conceived as an integral part of the city fabric, memorial plaza, and associated historic buildings, the new structure is nestled in a landscape featuring 300 flowering golden rain trees, along with groves of bamboo and korean pines, virtually bowing to its surroundings. a visitor center, in a former police administration building, showcases exhibits about democracy movements throughout asia.

aerial view of asian culture complex

the design strategy for the ACC, centered on creating a new park and building within the earth, responds to the climatic conditions of gwangju. the climate concept for the project emerges from a thorough consideration of the totality of the building from a thermodynamic perspective. form, material, and mechanical systems combine as synergistic components of a unified concept. visitors access the complex from numerous entry points, including links to subways and major entrances on the south, west and north. escalators and inclinators, and ramps connect levels of the plaza and interior, creating a barrier-free environment. sustainable systems, such as optimal daylight design, earth-contact pre-heating and pre–cooling, slab-embedded hydronic radiant heating and cooling, and a 100% outdoor air low-pressure displacement ventilation system, qualify the structure for the highest rating by korea’s green building council . this strategy will generate energy savings of up to 40% over a conventionally conceived building.

asian culture complex, artplex section

asian culture complex, childrenspace

asian culture complex, multiplace

the roof of the structure is a grassy citizens park, with shaded bamboo groves, play environments and welcoming lawns. from the park, ramps descend along the structure’s exterior, through a series of stepped outdoor plazas, which showcase key elements, such as the jemyong stone lamp and five-tiered stone tower, and support seasonal activities, markets, gatherings, events, and political rallies. these plazas are cooled by large air circulators generating subtle breezes, along their core runs a continuous glass façade, which provides light, transparency, and views to the cultural activities in the Complex’s interior spaces. at the deepest part of the structure, double layers of glass silk-screened with traditional korean motifs, infuse the building’s skin with a subtle celadon glaze. there, inside, a 25-meter-high atrium or ‘light box’ defines a lofty exhibit space and an art plex with flexible performance halls and multimedia theater offers a stream of new programming. the project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

asian culture complex, park