french architect dominique perrault has won a competition to design ‘lightwalk’, the gangnam international transit center in seoul, south korea. the 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.
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‘.
‘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.
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.
interior programs are articulated around the ground-scape park spanning the project
the light beam is an optical illusion collecting natural light
the interior spaces of the complex are flooded with natural light
at night, light from the moon is also filtered underground
the lightwalk creates a landscape intervention linking the two axes
the project works in dialogue with the han river
architecture in korea (262 articles)
UNStudio puts nature at the heart of a new sustainable leisure island in south korea
LMTLS proposes undulating structure to revitalize honggye stream in seoul, korea
HUSO + partners creates a simple house for relaxed rural life in south korea
NOMAL builds a family home in korea that can be split into two for visiting guests
OMA's galleria in gwanggyo with opal stone-like façade is realized in korea
kengo kuma's gyeongju international expo pavilion is a blend of architecture and ground
dominique perrault (29 articles)
DPA-X and indigo group explore the future car parks of the mobility revolution
dominique perrault masterplans athletes' village for paris 2024 olympic games
dominique perrault adds to the timeless elegance of paris' longchamp racecourse
architecture news
maurice martel's glass pavilion in canada is a tribute to modern architecture
#architecture
during the region's long winters, the building serves as a place to relax, read, or do yoga amid the snowy landscape.
during the region's long winters, the building serves as a place to relax, read, or do yoga amid the snowy landscape.
maison W, or 'the pleated house' mimics the undulating geological folds of its alpine context
#architecture
walls fold and unfold in a motionless movement that guides the visitor and gives rhythm to the space.
walls fold and unfold in a motionless movement that guides the visitor and gives rhythm to the space.
casa bautista is a secluded beachfront villa in mexico designed by productora
#architecture
immersed in the jungle, the elevated concrete structure presents sweeping views of the natural landscape and the caribbean sea beyond.
immersed in the jungle, the elevated concrete structure presents sweeping views of the natural landscape and the caribbean sea beyond.
slee & co. architects' red earth game lodge emerges from the namibian landscape
#architecture
the architects have mixed red sand from the surrounding farm into cementitious plaster.
the architects have mixed red sand from the surrounding farm into cementitious plaster.
This was long known, as Chipperfield was in the jury and there is a well known exchange of favours between him and Perrault. A soccer field as urban space in a place which is well known for public festivals and events, and with a footfall of 600,000 people per day? And a huge glass floor on the public space? Is this nonsensical 600m long glass wrinkly tube eating half of the clear height of the underground spaces even viable? Will the kaleidoscopic effects work once the top glass becomes scratched by the crowd? Will the grass be sustainable in such a location? To me there were much better proposals in the contest… Watch out for his next commission in Paris Olympics, procured by Mr. Perrault.