Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture

Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Image 2 of 56Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Facade, WindowsEwha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - ChairEwha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Facade, SteelEwha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - More Images+ 51

Text description provided by the architects. Engineering: Perrault Projets, Paris (Architectural Engineers); VP&Green Ingenerie, Paris (Structural Engineers); HL-PP Consult, Munich (Building Services); Jean-Paul Lamoureux, Paris (Acoustic), Rache-Willms, Aix-la-Chapelle (Facades)

Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Facade, Steel
© André Morin

The complexity of the immediate site through its relationship to the greater campus and the city of Shinchon to the south demands a “larger than site” response, an urban response, a global landscaped solution which weaves together the tissue of the EWHA campus with that of the city. This gesture, the “campus valley”, in combination with the “sports strip”, creates a new topography which impacts the surrounding landscape in a number of ways.

Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Image 9 of 56
© André Morin

The Sports Strip, like the Valley, is many things at once. It is a new gateway to the Ewha campus, a place for daily sports activities, a grounds for the special yearly festivals and celebrations, and an area which truly brings together the university and the city. It is most importantly a place for all, animated all year long.

Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Windows
© André Morin

Like a horizontal billboard, the sports strip presents the life of the university to the inhabitants of Shinchon, and vice-versa. Once through the sports strip, pedestrian movement and flow through the site is celebrated. A new “Champs Elysées” invites the public into the site carrying students and visitors alike through the campus center northwards, bringing together the different levels of the site.

Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Windows, Facade, Balcony
© André Morin

The pastoral nature of the campus is perhaps its most remarkable quality. It should be permitted to grow outwards, or inwards in this case, covering the campus center with trees, flowers, and grass. The park is re-drawn. An idyllic garden is the result, creating a special place for gathering, conducting informal classes, and simply relaxing. The notion of weaving together the campus is again evident, blurring the distinction between old and new, building and landscape, present and past.

Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Cityscape
© André Morin

“Les Champs Elysées”

Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Facade, Handrail
© André Morin

A new seam slices through the topography revealing the interior of the EWHA campus center. A void is formed, a hybrid place, in which a variety of activities can unfold. It is An avenue, gently descending, controlling the flow of traffic, leading to a monumental stair carrying visitors upwards, recalling les Champs Elysees or the Campidiglio in Rome.

Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Handrail
© André Morin

• An entry court, from which access to the various departments exist,

• A node, or point on a trajectory to another destination,

• A forum for the exchange of ideas as students gather after class to discuss their views,

• A piazza, with the cafeteria spilling out creating a real “place” to stop and relax,

• An outdoor theatre, as the stair can be used in an amphitheatre like fashion,

• A sculpture garden, where indoor gallery events can push outwards.

It is precisely this flexibility (conceptual and real) which permits the New EWHA campus center to inevitably weave itself into the landscape sometimes a building, sometimes a landscape, sometimes a sculpture.

Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture - Brick
© André Morin

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Cite: "Ewha Womans University / Dominique Perrault Architecture" 19 Apr 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/227874/ewha-womans-university-dominique-perrault-architecture> ISSN 0719-8884

© André Morin

梨花女子大学 / Dominique Perrault Architecture

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