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Common Ground by Urbantainer, shipping container mall, cargotecture mall, cargotecture in Korea, shipping container architecture in Korea, modular architecture in Korea, Common Ground architecture in Korea,

Located in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Common Ground was an experimental project that sought to revitalize an unused lot in the middle of the capital. The use of prefabricated shipping containers lowered construction cost and reduced construction time to just five months. Each container is painted an eye-catching bright blue and is stacked together into three-story structures that divide the lot into two main spaces: the Market Hall and the Street Market. The stacked containers frame a central square that hosts weekend markets, exhibitions, and performances.

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Common Ground by Urbantainer, shipping container mall, cargotecture mall, cargotecture in Korea, shipping container architecture in Korea, modular architecture in Korea, Common Ground architecture in Korea,

“Street Market draws inspiration from an alley market and keeps the texture of the container intact as much as possible,” writes Urbantainer. “Market Hall capitalises on trusses with strong architectural functions and serve as a reminder of the feeling of a market. In this part, the verticality of stacked container modules and the frames between containers are emphasised.”

Common Ground by Urbantainer, shipping container mall, cargotecture mall, cargotecture in Korea, shipping container architecture in Korea, modular architecture in Korea, Common Ground architecture in Korea,

In keeping with its unconventional form, Common Ground hosts up-and-coming new designers, mid-sized shops, and editorial stores, rather than large mainstream brands. The 200 shipping containers house seventy stores, twenty restaurants, and a third-floor roof terrace.

+ Urbantainer

Images via Urbantainer