KCAP create mixed-use development in historic district

Tenderstream member KCAP have released updated designs for the Sewoon Grounds redevelopment in Seoul, South Korea. In 2017, KCAP won an international design competition to transform Sewoon District #4 into a sustainable mixed-use quarter hosting offices, retail units and facilities for urban industry, while respecting the unique historic character of the site. 

KCAP focused on a subtle integration of the building mass in its surrounding context, providing a flexible combination of units with an active connection to pre-existing structures. These include the neighbouring  'Sewoon Sangga (Arcade)' complex, built between 1967-1972 and designed by prominent architect Kim Swoo-geun. The design for the new development re-creates the 'Seoul grid', which derives from the existing street network. An exhibition of archaeological relics on the basement level, called the ‘Memory Ground‘, promotes the idea of a harmonious coexistence between the past and present. 

Supporting anchor activities are located throughout the building. The ‘Breeding Ground’ acts as a platform for urban industry and is connected to the Sewoon Arcade. The ‘Flying Ground’ at the top is related to the Sewoon Roof, while the ‘Sky Ground’ secures the public view towards the Jongmyo UNESCO heritage site.

Hyeri Park, associate partner at KCAP, emphasises: “With Sewoon Grounds, we want to balance between history and future, urban industry and urban creative lives, massing and open spaces. Our design update could evolve a demolition-based redevelopment into regeneration and urban transformation with the least social risk at the same time to make a maximum public benefit. This porous publicly stacked urban agglomeration, which we call ‘Sewoon Grounds’ will create new urban quality based on the old and existing values. We designed an urban grounds, not just a building.”

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

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