| BIG's residential towers
in the Yongsan International Business District revitalize the
Han riverfront into a new commercial and residential center for
the citizens of Seoul.
Situated at the south-east edge of
the Yongsan master plan designed by Studio Liebeskind for the
Korean development group Dreamhub, BIG's Cross # Towers will
contribute to the developing skyline of Seoul and become a
recognizable marker of the new cultural and commercial center of
the city. BIG was selected to submit a design proposal for
Yongsan International Business District among 19 international
offices, including SOM, Dominique Perrault, REX and
MVRDV.
BIG's residential towers in the Yongsan
International Business District
The 21 000 m2 site is positioned
next to the existing urban fabric in the future development
zones of the Yongsan master plan. BIG's design includes two
elegant towers with a height of 214 and 204m. To meet the height
requirements of the site, the exceeding building mass is
transformed into an upper and lower horizontal bar, which bridge
the two towers at 140m and 70 m height. The two towers are
additionally connected through the arrival bar at the ground
level - and a courtyard below ground.
'The Cross # Towers constitute a
three-dimensional urban community of interlocking horizontal and
vertical towers. Three public bridges connect two slender towers
at different levels - underground, at the street and in the sky.
Catering to the demands and desires of different residents, age
groups and cultures the bridges are landscaped and equipped for
a variety of activities traditionally restricted to the ground.
The resultant volume forms a distinct figure on the new skyline
of Seoul - a '#' that serves as a gateway to the new Yongsan
Business District signaling a radical departure from the crude
repetition of disconnected towers towards a new urban community
that populates the three-dimensional space of the city.' Bjarke
Ingels, Founding Partner, BIG.
Both the upper and lower bridge
introduce rooftop sky gardens accessible to residents, allowing
for outdoor activities, while a courtyard at the heart of the
development is an integral part of the overall architectural
design. Dramatic views towards the neighboring towers and visual
connections across the courtyard from the retail zone create an
exciting space for the residents and visitors. The outdoor
landscape is envisioned to draw from the charm of traditional
courtyards combined with the modernity of the project.
Pedestrians at the arrival deck which connects the towers at
ground level can enjoy impressive views to the bridges above and
to the submerged courtyard below.
'The typical tower inherently
removes life from the city it occupies. Circulation is linear
and social interactions occur only in lobbies or awkward
elevator rides. We propose a building that triples the amount of
ground floor - triples the amount of social interaction and
reintroduces the idea of neighborhood within the tower
complex.', Thomas Christoffersen, Partner in Charge,
BIG.
The development will offer over 600
high-end residences and amenities, including a library, gallery
space and a kindergarten. BIG's design ensures that the tower
apartments have optimal conditions towards sun and views. The
bar units are given value through their spectacular views and
direct access to the roofscapes, activating the outdoor realm.
The exterior facades are developed to correspond to the
different orientations and solar conditions, creating a diverse
facade which varies from the viewer's vantage point and the
position of the sun.
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