Sejong Art Center Entry by H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture

New York-based practice H Architecture has shared with us its submission to the recent Sejong Art Center competition for the design of a cultural center for the planned city of Sejong in South Korea. The entry was a collaborative effort with Haeahn Architecturefrom Seoul.

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Aerial view of the proposed Sejong Art Center (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

Project Description from the Architects:
Sejong Art Center is the new cultural hub of Sejong city, featuring a 700 seat theater for classical concert, ballet and musical, a 300 seat black box theater, a cinema, and gallery spaces, and a 1,500 seat opera theater as an extension. The complex is vibrantly open to the community with indoor and outdoor cultural venues for multipurpose performance activities.

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Aerial view (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Aerial view (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Entrance view (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Riverfront (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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PAN courtyard view (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

The project aims to embrace the polarity of the city and nature.It was initiated from a scrupulous speculation concerning the dichotomy between them since the site is located at the edge of the city. As a result, the contemporary complex sits oriented toward its natural setting. Spaces between the individual programs actively bring nature into the complex, making way for sunlight, wind, and foliage to infiltrate.

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Intermission (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Small Theater (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Large Theater (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

Gallery and cinema spaces located at the outer edge of the complex allow visitors to easily utilize the program. While gallery and cinema spaces are everyday facilities, theaters for performances are event facilities in which extraordinary experiences take place. These event facilities are located at the inner layer of the complex, maximizing direct contact with the surrounding park, river, and hills. Intermission during a performance becomes an opportunity for people to enjoy nature while taking a break. “Pan”, a Korean expression for a place of public activity, embodies the spirit of each outdoor space and landscaped area. Each zone is carefully designed to accommodate numerous outdoor performances such as a concert in the forest, a traditional parade, or a summer night film festival.

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Aerial view from the nature side (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Aerial view from the river (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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View from the plaza (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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View from the street (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Aerial view from the park (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Courtyard view (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Concept, Prism of Art (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Concept, Spectrum between the city and nature (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

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Concept, Sequential axis Koreanness (Image: H Architecture & Haeahn Architecture)

Project Details:
Architects: H Architecture + Haeahn Architecture
Location: Sejong, Korea
Client: Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Agency(MACCA)
Program: Performing art center including a 700 seat theater for classical concert, ballet and musical, a 300 seat black box theater, a cinema, and gallery spaces, a 1,500 seat opera theater as an extension, a restaurant, a cafe and parking
Gross Area: 11,138 m² (119,888 sf)
Status: Competition, submitted 2013