Urban Forest Cultural Center Unveiled for Korea

A winning design for a new <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/26/jean-marie-tjibaou-cultural-center-inspired-by-native-architecture/" target="_blank">art and culture center</a> in SeongDong-gu, Korea features an urban forest located within the building that creates a lush and inspiring environment for cultural programs. Seoul-based <a href="http://www.usdspace.com/" target="_blank">Unsangdong Architects</a> created the winning proposal, "Culture Forest", which boasts sustainable architecture, lots of trees and vegetation, and is <a href="../solar-power" target="_blank">powered by the sun</a>. A circulating set of walkways within the building form an undulating landscape that creates an inviting atmosphere and a rich cultural program.

The new culture and arts center will be most noted for the green space inside the building, which is like an urban park wrapped up around the center's programs.

Spaces open to the outdoors will hold trees, bushes and lush vegetation, providing space for quiet contemplation above the city streets.

The center will include one large theater and auditorium called the Flying Theater, which will be wine-colored and be built for enhanced acoustics.

A walkway and circulation space will wrap around the entire building, offering up space for little courtyards as well as artistic space.

The roof will feature a number of tree-filled courtyards and more space to soak up the sun.

Outdoor walkways and stairs will connect the various programmatic areas together.

Solar energy, coupled with vegetation and daylighting will provide an eco-friendly built environment.

The Flying Theater will light up at night and project out into the city based upon the activity for the evening.

Unsangdong Architects won first prize in a design competition for the SeongDong-gu Culture and Arts Center.

The circulation pathways will connect from the street level with the various programs inside the building, creating a condensed campus like feel.