‘heterojunctional barrier’ by yagatoo architects, paju, south korea image © kyungsub shin all images courtesy of yagatoo architects

the new collaborate design group urban playground together with yagatoo architects have realized the recently built ‘heterojunctional barrier’ pavilion in paju’s central park. the site is situated amongst a rapidly growing housing development outside of seoul, where a conflicting dichotomy exists between a pedestrian bridge and a large expanse of green land. the building’s social role, apart from serving as the park’s exhibition space, administrative office and general facility, links the raised walkway to natural habitat below. the general form in plan follows topographical cues, curving towards the overpass as if being pulled against its will. this facade is wrapped in a solid skin of twisting metal panels as a symbolic ‘barrier.’

a series of semi-circular ribs connected to an orthogonal concrete core are spaced apart according to their specific task, creating large public areas or framing smaller private functions. large round openings puncture through the hard northern elevation offering wide panoramic views of the reserve and cityscape, while a southern-facing clerestory allows ample sunlight to illuminate the inside all day long. natural wood planks cover the interior of the curved surface to create a warm ambiance contrasting the rectilinear hardness of material

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion entrance image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion interior space expands and contracts to form rooms or halways image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion exhibition area image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion circular windows punch through the wall image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion large interior space image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion curved hallway image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion entrance from bridge image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion connection to pedestrian bridge image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion juxtaposition between the bridge and structure image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion view from ground path image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion under the bridge image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion northern facade image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion curved form contrasting with rectilinear image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion view form the bridge image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion bird’s eye view image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion back entrance image © kyungsub shin

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion floor plan / level 0

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion section

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion section

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion section

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion formal diagram

urban playground + yagatoo architects: heterojunctional barrier pavilion model