BANPO CULTURAL CONNECTION PARK

THE FLUX

The urban design vision for THE FLUX, the Banpo-Hangang River connection Park and Cultural Facilities, revolves around crafting an elevated Cultural Park that stands out as a landmark in the city center. This park seamlessly integrates nature, culture, and urban life to form a cohesive space for the community.

It is located on an express way, surrounded by the Hangang River on the north, Banpo Jugong Apartment Complex on the west and Acro River Park Apartment Complex on the east and connecting public activities towards Shinbanpo-ro on the south.

 

 

The design strategy emphasizes preserving the existing ecosystem and acknowledging the historical evolution of housing while providing a venue for urban cultural events. The elevated park, floating above the expressway, features vertical connection points to access the Hangang River.

The cultural complex comprises five distinct zones:

+Elevated Cultural Connection Park

+Vertical Observation Connection Park

+Art & Leisure Park Valley

+Artist Guest House & Gallery with Urban Memory Pool & Plaza (Apt No 108 – Preserved DNA)

+Cultural Facility Center (Under the Connection Park Ramped Roof)

The design ethos of THE FLUX harmoniously merges natural landscapes, water features, cultural elements, and urban vistas. Through an interconnected layout, facilities are dispersed across four overlapping platforms, prioritizing cultural and environmental values to create an eco-friendly park that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.

Visitors can access diverse cultural landscapes from multiple entry points, 

fostering continuous visual and natural flow while preserving the historical significance of Apt No 108 and its surroundings.

The preservation concept for Apt No 108 involves retaining one module of the apartment block while incorporating a reflection pool to pay homage to its urban architectural heritage.

The transformed Artist Guest House & Gallery within Apt No 108 welcomes national and international artists for temporary residencies, fostering cultural exchange and artistic expression. Their work can be exhibited in the Gallery or also on the open-air art gardens.  The solid façade facing the reflection pool and public plaza serves as a media façade for outdoor events.

The main Cultural Facility Center, situated beneath the elevated park's ramped roof, surrounds the Artist Guest House & Gallery. It inhabits a flexible lobby area, café, bookstore, exhibition space, seminar hall, community facilities, and management offices(on the 2nd floor).

The innovative design of THE FLUX features leveled public plazas connecting Banpo and Hangang River where people can walk freely along the ramps, offering panoramic views, and hosting various cultural events such as amfi, stage, sunken plaza, different open air exhibition zones with an anchor point on the highest platform that would attract people to the platform. 

The Vertical Observation Park on the north side provides five floating observation platforms, inviting visitors to pause and appreciate different perspectives of Seoul City and the Hangang River from different levels. 

Neighborhood Park A has been preserved and made minor design changes to blend it with the Art & Leisure Park Valley.

Neighborhood Park B has been designed to define a better circulation for THE FLUX.

THE FLUX is not just a cultural destination; it's a vibrant hub for the community, offering diverse experiences such as performing arts, exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and other facilities under the same roof.  It empowers citizens by providing them with ownership of public spaces and contributing to the cultural and social fabric of Seoul.

ECOLOGICAL APPROACH

Incorporating ecological principles and sustainability concepts, THE FLUX ensure that the cultural park not only stands as a symbol of architectural brilliance but also acts as a responsible and eco-conscious structure within the urban landscape.

 

 

Sustainability concepts are carefully woven into various aspects of the design to prioritize energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of eco-friendly materials. Landscape design choices aim to mitigate the urban heat island effect and promote biodiversity while enhancing the complex's visual appeal.

 

CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY OF THE ELEVATED PARK

THE FLUX located on an expressway. This is very critical design data to define the structural methodology considering the utilization of Olympic-daero at the time of construction.

 

 

The construction methodology for the elevated park on the expressway prioritizes prefabricated modular concrete systems to minimize disruption to traffic flow and optimize time management and cost-effectiveness.