kohn pedersen fox associates: yongsan international business district block H

‘block H’ by kohn pedersen fox associates, yongsan international business district, seoul, korea image © kohn pedersen fox associates

international architecture firm kohn pedersen fox associates (KPF) have sent us images of their ‘block H’ proposal for the yongsan international business district, located in seoul, korea. the 167 225 square meter space will be a luxury five-star accommodations with high-end services. the 385-meter-tall-tower sits on a 14 600-square-meter site on the northeastern border of the sector. the hotel is situated to mediate the transition between the 665 meter height of the landmark office tower to the northwest and the lower scale residential blocks beyond.

the shape of the development projects from the center into three distinct wings to provide the apartments and hotel rooms with natural light, dramatic views and privacy. cascading towards the han river, each section asymmetrically projects from the base to orient views of the south. the mid-level faces east to the yongsan park where the high division is directed to the nam-sam historic district and adjacent landmark tower to the north. the design guarantees that the guest rooms have a large corner view from the living space, while maximizing its solitude from the adjacent unit.

elevation image © kohn pedersen fox associates

the tower contains a casino, retail space, spa, and a base building to accommodate a large banquet hall and other amenities. the programs are treated as one singular form, like an organic crystal, with a language of terraces and set-back platforms that grow upwards and outwards towards the light and panoramas. the establishment and serviced residences are expressed with a different material palette where the solid elements on the facade are articulated as a dynamic pattern on non-repetitious surfaces. the skin transitions from stone slab at the base to a textured metal finish at the top of the building. this is where the organization shifts from hotel to residential, subtly exposing the events of the structure.

aerial view image © kohn pedersen fox associates

‘our goal for this project is to establish and make connections to street life, the new city of yongsan, and to the larger context of seoul. we do this through a thoughtful approach to the building’s program, position, and character.’ – trent tesch, KPF design principal

stepped terraces image © kohn pedersen fox associates