Korea Center / SAMOO

Jan 2010

By Karen Cilento — Filed under: Architecture News ,Cultural , Korea Center, New York, SAMOO, USA

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SAMOO Architecture, the New York studio of SAMOO Architects and Engineers based in Seoul, Korea, was awarded first prize in an international competition for the design of The New York Korea Center. Set to begin construction at the end of this year, the 8 story, 33,000 square foot facility will provide space for exhibitions, performances, lectures, and administration. The design is said to “embody the modern Korean sensibility of innovation in harmony with tradition.”

More images and more about the design after the break.

Housed within the central space, three sculptural figures composed of different materials – polished ceramic for Heaven, rough terracotta for Earth, and milled wood for Humanity – are illuminated by the multi-layered glass façade.

An open frame directly behind the glass will provide a canvas for display panels that convey a changing visual message to the passers-by.

“The transparency of the façade opens the buildings activities to street life and energizes the surrounding area,” said Mr. Soon Woo Kwon Principal at SAMOO Architecture PC.

As seen on Bustler

Cite:
Cilento , Karen . "Korea Center / SAMOO" 16 Jan 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 10 Feb 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/46368>

Comments (18)
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dan says:

I like the symbolic materiality. I’m curious what decisions drove these particular forms.

# January 17, 2010 at 00:13

Jaku says:

No offence but for me this symbolic issues seem to be naive. Earth heaven and humanity? There is only Captain Planet and Care Bears missing…

# January 17, 2010 at 05:18

anonymous says:

天(heaven),地(earth),人(humanity) are basic element of oriental(especilally Far East) philosophy.
If you say that, you must don’t have any knowledgy or insufficient explanation of them.
But I wish you don’t disregard or ridicule again other regien’s ideal.

# January 18, 2010 at 02:59

SB says:

which means: post-rationalization

# January 18, 2010 at 05:44

Then what is the unique relationship between Korean culture and 天(heaven),地(earth),人(humanity)? Are they saying 天(heaven),地(earth),人(humanity) represent Korean Culture???

# January 29, 2010 at 21:01

StR says:

god one

# January 19, 2010 at 11:32

nanofog says:

another good example of korean pizza architecture..if you ever had korean pizza, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

# January 19, 2010 at 23:05

David says:

I like how the architect assumes that a glass facade “activates street life”. How amateurish.

# January 17, 2010 at 14:41

Mike says:

I just love how these “internet architects” are so judgmental.

I mean, if you really have a problem about it, talk to the committee who made the decision and call THEM amateurs.

This building isn’t my cup of tea either, but hey, the firm won the competition, I give them props.

# January 29, 2010 at 23:36

Nicholas Patten says:

Nicely Designed: Korea Center. http://bit.ly/7dcgjj

# January 18, 2010 at 02:01

Nico says:

WTF?..

# January 18, 2010 at 08:14

Roxy says:

I know some cultures use the sky-earth-human theory to understand the universe. Then why did they use this theory to represent Korean culture?

# January 20, 2010 at 14:08

wartian says:

I am not familiar with Korean custom and culture, art and architecture. As a Chinese from Asian, who also learn Chinese language and literature, i understand that humanity, heaven and earth are the important elements in oriental philosophy!I don’t judge the aesthetic of the proposal.But the understanding of these 3 elements here is so mundane!3 elements simply represented by 3 common materials that can simply be found in many office building (from big airport to small toilet)?3 elements are almost identical in form and scale(I thought humanity shouldn’t have the same scale with heaven)? 3 elements are bordered by glassy box (I don’t understand the language here)?

# January 21, 2010 at 13:52

Andy says:

who stole my ice cream cone?

# January 29, 2010 at 20:57

하하 says: