french architect dominique perrault has won a competition to design ‘lightwalk’, the gangnam international transit center in seoul, south koreathe large-scale urban project will form a new zone within the city, in dialogue with the han river and tancheon stream. the program includes a multi-modal hub, train station, urban park, and commercial complex, requiring a large-scale underground intervention in the city.

dominique perrault chosen to insert light-filled transit + commercial complex beneath seoul
the program includes a multi-modal hub, train station, urban park, and commercial complex
all images © rayus – dominique perrault architecte 

 

 

spanning between the two main roads of the gangnam district, bongeunsaro and teheranro, ‘lightwalk’ creates a landscape intervention linking the two axes and acts as an orientation mark from all sides. the lightwalk creates a new horizon,’ explains dominique perrault. ‘rooted in the ground, it is the symbol of a renewed seoul, which aims to become more pedestrian friendly, a landmark for all underground infrastructures worldwide, where users can experience natural light and air, deep into the ground, in the groundscape‘.

dominique perrault chosen to insert light-filled transit + commercial complex beneath seoul
‘it is the symbol of a renewed seoul, which aims to become more pedestrian friendly,’ says the design team

 

 

an innovative component of the project is the ‘light beam’, an optical installation creating a diffraction of sunlight and amplifying its effects towards the lower levels. in contrast to the dark tunnels of seoul, the interior spaces of the complex are flooded with natural light creating an interior atmosphere which feels like being outdoors. pipes collect and concentrate the sunlight above ground and introduce natural light below grade to ensure the indoor environmental quality.

dominique perrault chosen to insert light-filled transit + commercial complex beneath seoul
the project seeks to become a landmark for all underground infrastructures worldwide

 

 

interior programs are articulated around the ground-scape park — flooded by the natural light provided by the light beam. greenery will be installed where possible and a variety of gardens can be organized along the groundscape park with a wide varieties of vegetation species. on the southern tip, seoul grand station is a reference to the world’s most iconic train terminals, with all vertical circulations designed to ensure a smooth and seamless flow all the way up.

dominique perrault chosen to insert light-filled transit + commercial complex beneath seoul
interior programs are articulated around the ground-scape park spanning the project

dominique perrault chosen to insert light-filled transit + commercial complex beneath seoul
the light beam is an optical illusion collecting natural light

dominique perrault chosen to insert light-filled transit + commercial complex beneath seoul
the interior spaces of the complex are flooded with natural light

dominique perrault chosen to insert light-filled transit + commercial complex beneath seoul
at night, light from the moon is also filtered underground 

dominique perrault chosen to insert light-filled transit + commercial complex beneath seoul
the lightwalk creates a landscape intervention linking the two axes

dominique perrault chosen to insert light-filled transit + commercial complex beneath seoul
the project works in dialogue with the han river 

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