social room in Seoul

Location Seoul, South Korea

Client / operator Seoul Metropolitan Government

Architects Simplex Architecture KR – Seoul www.simplex-arch.com

Author Simplex Architecture

Photos Kyungsub Shin

HOW TO UPGRADE A LOST PLACE

JONG-AM SQUARE EXERCISE AND SOCIAL ROOM IN SEOUL

The space beneath overpasses is generally neglected or misused as as car parks or for waste disposal, ruining the aesthetics of a city and presenting issues to public safety and crime prevention. In 2017, Seoul Metropolitan Government promoted a development plan to expand social infrastructure and local community facilities by making use of the spaces beneath overpasses. Six pilot project sites were selected. The space beneath the Jongam-dong Overpass was implemented as part of the projects. The wooden structure welcomes residents for exercise, culture, and social gatherings.

The abandoned space under the Jongam-dong Overpass is surrounded by roads 15-20 m wide. This section of the highway is generally congested due to its location as an intersection between the two expressways. The three quarters near to the site are home to large residential complexes and educational facilities, but with almost no public space such as parks and green spaces. The new facility was proposed to serve as a community space and shelter. Stable flow of pedestrians The site, connecting two pedestrian crossings of awkward configuration, is connected to the pedestrian ramp leading to the nearby river and serves to manage the continual flow of pedestrians. The existing decking and central fountain - which used to block the access circulation in three directions - were removed, and a building of segmented form was positioned there. Located on the inside, the creative yard and shelter are part of the public

pathways, so that people can either open the door as needed to use those places as semi-exterior spaces or expanded interior spaces.

Transformation according to the programme The multi-purpose cultural space hosts leisure activities and events, such as exercise classes, performances and lectures, whereas the purpose of the community space is to hold relatively static events such as pilates, exhibitions and small gatherings. Folding doors between the creative yard, multipurpose cultural space and community space allow to freely expand and divide the in-between space.

Protecting the interior Each column of the structure is of a different size and spacing, according to the characteristics of the interior space. The corridor that also serves as a resting space is separated by inserting walls connected to the structure. While the entire structure made of wood visually serves as a shield from the exterior view, the glass windows, doors and wooden louvers that fill the in-between space create open visual communication between the interior and exterior while managing the noisy exterior environment. The roof that covers the building is finished with translucent polycarbonate, to prevent pigeon droppings entering the space and also to let the sunlight in.

Repetition of a steel structure and a wooden structure The structural system of the building surrounds the flanks and upper part of the building and produces a stable form. Built in the north-south direction, the structure takes the form of a steel structure with red cedar added to both sides, displaying a keen structural aesthetics while highlighting the warm ambiance that is peculiar to wood. The red cedar panel finish on the exterior of the building also penetrates the inside and envelopes the main structural parts, creating a warm atmosphere with the birch plywood installed on the interior walls. By counterbalancing the cold feeling of the steel frame, seen through gaps between the repeated boards, the designers strived to rejuvenate the dark and desolate atmosphere so often encountered beneath an overpass.