new robot science museum will construct itself in seoul

turkish practice melike altınışık architects (MAA) presents the winning entry for an international competition for the robot science museum in seoul, south korea. hosted by the seoul metropolitan government, the competition called for the design of the world’s first pioneer robot science museum (RSM) to support public education in robotics and increase public knowledge and interest in robots. design principal melike altınışık explains the concept and design process: ‘the new robot science museum which plays a catalytic role in advancing and promoting science, technology, and innovation throughout society is not only going to exhibit robots but actually from design, manufacturing to construction and services robots will be in charge. in other words, RSM will start its ‘first exhibition’ with ‘its own construction’ by robots on site.’

the new robot museum anticipates the opening of its first exhibition on site at the start of 2020 and is expected to be fully completed with the official opening in late 2022.

all images by ediz akyalçın

melike altınışık architects (MAA) considers this representative role, undertaken from design to construction, to be as important as meeting the highest functional requirements for the museum. with the universality of science and technology, prioritizing advanced architectural design solutions for such a pioneering museum with a focus in robots and innovation gains a special meaning. from the initial design to the generation of form, from structural design to materiality, buildings designed in this manner must introduce a physical manifestation of robotics, science, technology, and innovation.

the proposal is characterized by its ability to generate its own universe for robots and their visitors, manifested as a sphere-like and fluid volume. the team prefers this organic geometry over rigid and orthogonal form. the proposal creates a wide range of connections within the urban context and public spaces through its non-directional organization with the introduction of public space to the interior, the organization of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and the generation of interstitial spaces. the functions on the museum’s ground floor further provide continuity and engagement between public outdoor and indoor spaces.

RSM introduces a base to cultivate the science community by providing opportunities to experience the latest robotics technology such as AI, virtual and augmented reality, and hologram. an in-depth training course is offered to explore new robots. the proposal prioritizes the use of contemporary fabrication technologies and robotic construction methods, allowing a rich exchange of relations between its robots in construction, robots in service, robots in exhibition, and RSM visitors. this team of robots will assemble the museum’s sweeping metal facade, saving time and money. led by building information modeling (BIM) system, they will mold, assemble, weld, and polish the metal plates. another team of robots will 3D print concrete for the surrounding landscape.

project info:

project name: robot science museum

architect: melike altinisik architects

location: seoul, south korea

lead designer: melike altınışık

project team: tan akıncı, özge tunalı, melih altınışık

architectural assistants: şeyma özübek, hüseyin karameşe

visualization: ediz akyalçın

client: seoul metropolitan government

building site: 2500m2
area: 6500m2

expected completion: 2022