HAEAHN + haenglim awarded second prize for office/power plant in seoul

A competition for korea midland power co. (KOMIPO) tasked designers with uniting the typologically diverse program elements of an office and a thermal power plant facility, while also providing public park space for the citizens of seoul

The collaborative team of HAEAHN architecture and haenglim placed second in the contest, for a proposal which stacks four large building volumes atop one another while including cultural functions into the work environment. the endeavor replaces an existing power facility, and places a new one below the structure and green landscape.

As the new below-grade power plant replaces the above ground ‘danginlee’ facility, the design intends to commemorate the existing by expressing a tower structure. the building thus references the high chimney stacks of traditional energy generation, but through a visually new gesture for positive cultural presence.a piece of the subterranean plant is purposely exposed above grade and functions as a ‘cultural plant’. the walls are clad in stone referential of the historical facility, while the adjacent space contains a gallery for the display of art. this exhibition program blends into the rest of the building to link with other public amenities.

 

the design stacks four building volumes atop a primarily subterranean power plant

 

high galleries link to the surrounding park

 

the office building accommodates other public programs such as a restaurant/cafe

 

the office and power plant are located on a waterfront site in seoul