International Architecture Awards Tell a friend
ARCHIVE 2021
Architects: Office of Metropolitan Architecture (OMA)
Associate Architects: Gansam Architects & Partners
Client: Hanwha Galleria Co., Ltd.
General Contractor: Hanwha Engineering & Construction Corp.
Photographer: Hong Sun Jun
The store is located between the Suwon Gwanggyo Lake Park and ubiquitous buildings in the city: an intersection between nature and the urban environment.
The store has a textured mosaic stone facade that evokes nature of the neighboring park. Appearing as a sculpted stone emerging from the ground, the store is a visual anchor in the city.
The public route has a multifaceted glass facade that contrasts with the opacity of the stone. Through the glass, retail and cultural activities inside are revealed to the city’s passers-by, while visitors in the interior acquire new vantage points to experience Gwanggyo. Formed with a sequence of cascading terraces, the public loop offers spaces for exhibitions and performances.
To this end, the fundamental structure of a department store, such as {stores and circulation lines located in the center/central void and the escalator/CORE and BOH located uniformly outside the plan) was maintained, but by creating the spatial structure that connects open spaces on each floor, creating a pleasant and unusual space.
Key elements of the design include 3D curtain walls and mosaic stone panels. A node system was needed in the case of a 3D curtain wall that could cover both a sharp angle and wide glass size, insulation, waterproofing, shrinking/expansion, structural safety, and a beautiful design with a simple design. Consultation with numerous domestic and foreign-related companies dealing with the system was reviewed over a one-and-a-half-year period, and there were many difficulties to meet the high cost and unpredictable construction period to realize the original design.
Eventually, a solution was proposed with a realistic construction cost and an acceptable construction period. The construction method was developed as a more complete system at the construction stage. The world-class irregular curtain wall pattern was applied to the building.
The mosaic stone panel symbolizes the existing order and rock, and the cross-section of the strata is imaged and applied as a mosaic. The initial plan was a travertine marble-type stone, but as an alternative stone, the domestic climate environment and maintenance were changed. It is very difficult and hard to obtain granite stone with 14 different colors of durability at an appropriate price since the stone type has various origins, and the unit price varies according to transportation.
This was also proposed for a reasonable price, and high-quality stone through client and local business trips about 6~7 times over a year and a half, and this was applied to the exterior to realize the intended design.
