Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture, Seoul

First Prize

Architect AZPML UKST
Type Museum Culture / Leisure
City Seoul
Country South Korea

Evoking the traditional roofs of Hanok and surrounded by a garden with architectural fragments and vegetation, the museum reuses parts of obsolete railway infrastructures to reduce the impact of the construction on the environment...

Concurso del Museo Coreano de Urbanismo y Arquitectura en Sejong

AZPML + UKST

The winning design of AZPML + UKST seeks to create an ecological and cultural experience, considering the role that urbanization and architecture can play in the climate crisis. The objective is to use the museum building as an example of good environmental practices, incorporating a mix of prefabricated and recycled elements, such as steel beams, to preserve resources and reduce carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption, as well as construction waste and pollutants.

The proposal includes elements of South Korea’s traditional architectural style, with overhanging stepped roofs, and guarantees that the building’s materials can be reutilized in the future, at the end of its life cycle.

The various construction elements are left exposed, so the building in itself becomes a learning experience for the public.

STLarchitects + BAUM Architects

The project drawn up by the other finalist team, STLarchitects + BAUM Architects, reconsiders the human being’s relationship with nature and the built environment, blurring the lines between interior and exterior, architecture and landscape.

On ground level, the space for temporary shows connects with the main entrance hall through large doorways, letting the exhibitions spill out into the foyer if desired.

The 18-meter-high gallery, brightened up by a series of skylights, can take in large exhibitions. Situated on the lower level, the permanent exhibition space is designed to be flexible, with modular panels allowing a variety of arrangements.[+]