SOM: diagonal tower yongsan international business district

‘diagonal tower’ by SOM, seoul, koreaimage © SOM/crystal CG

international firm SOM (skidmore, owings + merril) have sent us images of ‘diagonal tower’ a development proposal for the yongsan international business district in seoul, korea. the 343-meter high building successfully integrates massing, structure and performance to minimize wind loads, reduce construction costs, provide dramatic views and meet strict energy codes, while maintaining an iconic skyline presence.

the 64-story structure provides over 170 000 square meters of open office space, two double-height sky lobbies with a cafeteria and fitness center, two retail pavilions, a glass multifunctional auditorium and a penthouse executive lounge.

night view image © SOM/crystal CG

louvers are positioned at varying angles to reduce glass and provide shading in the summer and to allow direct sunlight to warm the building’s interiors during the cold winter months. the exterior wall utilizes three layers of glass instead of the typical two to decrease energy loss through the facade. an integrated active chilled beam system transfers heating and cooling energy using water instead of air, resulting in less consumption and greater environmental comfort.

the diagonal megaframe structure defines the form and reduces the amount of steel by 25 percent over a conventionally framed building. the prismatic profile cuts wind forces by mitigating the effects of a whirlwind on the leeway side of the edifice. the tower is supported with four massive piers at the corners allowing the lobby to be entirely free of columns and to be visually connected to the urban plaza across from the yongsan train station.

aerial viewimage © SOM/crystal CG

auditorium night view image © SOM

image © SOM/crystal CG

auditorium from south east image © SOM

tower base image © SOM

interior lobby image © SOM

sky lobby cafeteria image © SOM

sky lobby fitness center image © SOM

rendered site plan image © SOM

level / 08 image © SOM

level / 13 image © SOM

level / 24 image © SOM

level / 25 image © SOM

level / 42 image © SOM

level / 47 image © SOM

(left) typical square tower form (middle) rotated to address seoul landmarks (right) diagonal mega frame increase structural efficiency image © SOM

(left) faceted form decreases effects of the wind (right) louvers spacing and orientation varies for optimal shading on each facet image © SOM