SYNWHA Consortium Wins Competition to Design Waterfront Park for Busan North Port

SYNWHA Consortium Wins Competition to Design Waterfront Park for Busan North Port

The Busan Port Authority (BPA) has named the SYNWHA Consortium winners of an international competition for the Busan North Port Redevelopment in South Korea. The winning proposal is an "Interactive Pier" slated to transform the original port into a cultural center that celebrates the marriage of mountains, river, and sea, while crafting dynamic connections between the city of Busan and its seaside.

SYNWHA Consortium Wins Competition to Design Waterfront Park for Busan North Port - More Images+ 6

Bird's Eye View. Image Courtesy of SYNWHA Consulting

Once a small harbor city, Busan has grown rapidly into South Korea's second largest urban center. The port is situated at the cross section of the sea, the new town, and the dense residential neighborhoods located at the base of the Choryang Mountain. Drawing from the complexities of the site, the master plan of the Interactive Pier aims to achieve three distinct goals: integrate the original quay wall into a new pier to commemorate the history of the old city; provide a unique form of infrastructure offering a cultural, educational, and artistic platform for social interaction; and reintroduce man to nature.

Masterplan. Image Courtesy of SYNWHA Consulting
Old Pier and Gangway. Image Courtesy of SYNWHA Consulting

The urban pier, consisting of an "Independent Platform" and "Flexible Platform," is designed as a marine landscape featuring a series of promenades. The platform forges the initial connection between the port and city center. A cafe and various marketplaces allow for gathering crowds to invigorate the space with energy and programmatic diversity. Bollards and "Color Poles" perform double-duty as infrastructure during cultural events. An "Emotional Pier" features the "North Port Story Memorial," gangway, "Harbor Block Garden" and "Nomad Park." The memorial consists of a six part exhibition, preserved quay wall, and large-scale ship sculptures. 

North Port Story Memorial. Image Courtesy of SYNWHA Consulting
Open Air Market Street. Image Courtesy of SYNWHA Consulting

A shallow square pond, miniature gardens, and an urban plaza and "Slope Stand" carve out open space for performances and social events. The urban core run alongs the waterfront and is composed of multiple levels featuring a beach, container, core room, plaza, and dock. These spaces house exhibitions, shops, cafes, an observatory, management center and pop-up stalls. Open air marketplaces attract artists and city-dwellers alike.

Materiality is fairly consistent with the existing concrete of North Port piers and bollards, interspersed with greenery and natural landscaping. The Nomad Park provides sandy beaches and a natural meadow, and functions both as a park for users, and a water purification system.

Urban Core. Image Courtesy of SYNWHA Consulting

Construction is expected to begin in 2016. 

  • Competition

    Busan North Port Redevelopment Waterfront Park
  • Award

    First Place
  • Project Name

    Interactive Pier
  • Architects

  • Location

    1187-5 Choryang 3(sam)-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea
  • Project Team

    SYNWHA Consortium (SYNHWA Consulting, Chang-jo Architects, Saman Co, Kunil Engineering, Daea, and BOEH ENC)
  • Competition Organizers

    BPA (Busan Port Authority)
  • Area

    279372.0 sqm
  • Project Year

    2016
  • Photographs

  • Competition

    Busan North Port Redevelopment Waterfront Park
  • Award

    First Place
  • Project Name

    Interactive Pier
  • Location

    1187-5 Choryang 3(sam)-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea
  • Project Year

    2016
  • Photographs

  • Area

    279372.0 m2

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Project location

Address:1187-5 Choryang 3(sam)-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

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Cite: Sadia Quddus. "SYNWHA Consortium Wins Competition to Design Waterfront Park for Busan North Port" 15 Nov 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/567608/synwha-consortium-wins-competition-to-design-waterfront-park-for-busan-north-port> ISSN 0719-8884

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