A fusion of industrial history and artistic vision in curved architecture
Park1538 Gwangyang transforms the industrial heart of Gwangyang into a vibrant cultural destination. Nestled on what used to be POSCO’s Gwangyang Steelworks’ greenhouse site, the structure stands amidst industrial surroundings, yet embraces its roots with a flowing design. The architectural marvel reshapes steel’s legacy, drawing visitors to explore and learn within its dynamic spaces.
The dance of light and graceful design
Inspired by the city’s name, meaning “sunlight,” the design incorporates sweeping, curved steel surfaces that play with light throughout the day. These surfaces create an ever-changing facade that responds to its environment, epitomizing this style of building. The design softens steel’s traditionally rigid appearance, unveiling its expressive and fluid potential.
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Conceived by Unsangdong Architects and Posco A&C, the project integrates steel as more than a structural element; it’s the language of the architecture, embodying curvilinear principles. Steel is woven into every corner, from the exhibition hall to the educational center, redefining its perception as merely industrial.
A rhythmic structural symphony
Central to this transformation are vertically oriented steel ribs that serve multiple purposes: they bear loads, guide movement, and define spaces. Acting like the building’s bones, these ribs create a rhythmic continuity throughout. Their precise curvature supports expansive, adaptable spaces, thanks to parametric design—a cutting-edge technique ensuring each rib’s precise placement and structural capability. Through these elements, the sinuous structure shines prominently.
Motion and perspective
This careful coordination extends to visitor experience, with movement facilitated by ramps, vertical transitions, and a grand stairway. As visitors traverse the space, they gain shifting perspectives of the city, river, and surrounding mountains, enhancing their connection to the site and appreciating the nuances of this design approach.
A community-centric landmark
The cantilevered exhibition hall not only shelters a plaza below but serves as a civic space for gathering. This openness invites the community into what might have been a closed industrial site, forging a bond between past and present through the lens of architectural creativity. The reshaped landscape, featuring planted mounds and sculptural remnants of machinery, honors the site’s history while celebrating its newfound purpose.
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With an exhibition hall and an education center, Park1538 offers an engaging interplay of steel frame and reinforced concrete, balancing architectural beauty with function. The seamless integration of sunlight, artistic steel work, and parametric planning gives Gwangyang’s industrial heritage a refreshed, human-centered narrative, underscored by innovative design.
Source: yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
What inspired the design of Park1538 Gwangyang?
The design was inspired by the city’s name, meaning ‘sunlight,’ incorporating sweeping, curved steel surfaces that play with light throughout the day.
How does Park1538 integrate steel into its architecture?
The project integrates steel as more than a structural element; it’s the language of the architecture, embodying curvilinear principles and redefining steel’s perception beyond its industrial roots.
What purpose do the steel ribs serve in Park1538?
The vertically oriented steel ribs act like the building’s bones, bearing loads, guiding movement, and defining spaces, creating a rhythmic continuity throughout.