honeycomb modules nestled among the nature of korea form children’s forest school

korea-based architecture studio geeumplus designed ‘korea national arboretum children’s forest school‘. it is an educational and exhibition space to inform children about the importance of forests and the environment in a fun and easy way through the building and the exhibition of outdoor spaces.

all images by hoonkoo lee

the architectural concept by geeumplus is based on the biophilic design in which nature, ecosystem, and architecture coexist. the first starting point of this project is the harmony between the building and the existing trees. the designers preserved the old fir and cypress trees, and arrange the building around them. the main concept of this building is the specialization of the honeycomb module, which plays a symbolic role in biodiversity and teaches children the importance of being with nature.

the designers believe that the significance of the bee, as an insect particularly vulnerable to climate change, in the ecosystem is special. in order to convey the message of the importance that bees in the ecosystem, and to inform children about the importance of the coexistence of various living species and biodiversity, geeumplus choose the honeycomb-type as ‘biophilic architecture design’.

considering that the building is a treehouse in the forest, the exterior finish is an eco-friendly thermowood channel siding to create an elevation that matches the surrounding trees. the window frames, roof scoops, and water gutter create an exterior atmosphere that matches the thermowood channel, creating a harmonious landscape with the arboretum. also, this printer wood-patterned steel plate is used inside and it represents the various themes of forest and ecology such as ‘trees, leaves, tree rings, and forest’.

outside there is a space composed of a honeycomb arrangement centering on existing trees that becomes an outdoor terrace stage space. here, visitors can sit and watch performances outdoors, making the space a classroom open to nature. another space called rain garden has the concept of recycling and receiving rainwater through the slope of the roof. it allows children to have enough fun elements such as the educational aspect of recycling resources, honeycomb gutter. finally, the kitchen garden is an experience space that stimulates and awakens various senses by cultivating plants directly. in addition, there is a roof garden composed of various planting materials and a pollinate garden where children can observe and see the habitat and life of insects.

project info:

name: korea national arboretum children’s forest school

designer: geeumplus

area: 224.81 sqm

location: 415, gwangneung arboretum-ro, soheul-eup, pocheon-si, gyeonggi-do,  korea

lead architects: seonghun kim

collaborating companies detail design and building permit: node architecture

landscape design: dra design group

interior detail design: meeint+woojin id

construction company: iho construction

interior construction: woojin id

landscape construction: spacemaker a1

photography: hoonkoo lee

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