Built for the Hanil Cement Company to educate visitors about concrete and how it can be recycled, architects for the Visitors Center and Guesthouse use a variety of construction and landscaping techniques. From various concrete casting methods to the use of recycled, broken pieces of concrete for tile and gabion walls, the building and displays will continue to evolve and change as new techniques are designed.
Design concept and solution: The site is located to the west of the factory, on a forested hill adjacent to Mt. Sobaek National Park. The existing land had been changed considerably to facilitate the movement of trucks to the cement factory. To restore the damaged original mountains and forest and revive the landscape, the team brought in earth to fill the courtyard between the two buildings, along the original mountain ridge. The seeming flow of the mountains from the west leads to the reception and dining areas in the inner courtyard of the building.
The design uses cast fabric-formed concrete—a construction method where two fabric layers have a structural fine aggregate concrete pumped between them—for walls on the east façade, which curve and fold vertically to evoke images of the forest beyond. Four, tall vertical windows in this wall allow visitors to view a section of the factory’s concrete production process. Two larger glazed openings on that side also have views to the cafeteria and courtyard, the latter of which is encircled by a water garden.
Total construction cost: Withheld
Architect:
BCHO Architects Associates
55-7 Sil bldg.
Banpo-4 dong
Seocho Gu
Seoul, Korea 137-803
T: +82 02 537 8261
F: +82 02 537 8201
www.bchoarchitects.com
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