铜雀艺术空间丨韩国首尔丨Christ & Gantenbein

Sun, wind and rain will be encouraged to enter the towering timber pavilion that defines Dongjak Art Space, which architecture studio Christ & Gantenbein is designing in Seoul, South Korea.

Set to open in 2028, the 30-metre-high structure will sit alongside a subterranean gallery and offer an adaptable exhibition and events space for a residential neighbourhood in the Dongjak District.

Christ & Gantenbein has designed an arts centre for Seoul

According to Christ & Gantenbein, Dongjak Art Space is being designed as a recognisable landmark that will transform the neighbourhood into a cultural hub with international appeal.

The pavilion will take the form of a tapering timber tower that is at once sheltered from and open to the sky, which the studio said aims to balance a feeling of "openness and inward focus".

It will be defined by a towering timber pavilion

"Seen from a distance, the project emerges among the trees as a vertical figure rising above the landscape," said the studio.

"Its distinct character lies in its dual spatial condition: at once open and enclosed, interior and exterior. This ambiguity allows for a wide range of uses, accommodating conversations, concerts, meetings, dining and performances, as well as moments of stillness," it continued.

"It also enables a direct relationship with the elements, where rain, sunlight, snow and wind become part of the experience."

The pavilion will sit alongside an entrance to a subterranean hall

Commissioned by district mayor Ilha Park, Dongjak Art Space has been developed by Christ & Gantenbein in collaboration with the local community.

According to the studio, its design draws on local "architectural traditions, particularly the open courtyards of the hanok" – a traditional Korean house with a central courtyard.

The renders reveal the timber pavilion rising above a grassy garden, wrapped in elongated tiles. Alongside it will sit the entrance to the large flexible hall, which will be nestled underground.

Formed from concrete that will be left exposed, this hall will be used for everything from exhibitions and performances to social events and gatherings. The design of the entrance is yet to be revealed.

The hall will be flexible and used for events and exhibitions

At the rear of the hall, two staircases will provide a direct link to the garden.

"Its spatial openness, combined with its inward orientation, fosters a strong sense of focus and immersion," said Christ & Gantenbein.

"The presence of the city recedes, replaced by an environment that feels quieter and more contained, removed from the scale and rhythm of the surrounding streets," it continued.

It will be constructed from concrete

Construction of the Dongjak Art Space is expected to begin in 2027.

"By creating a premium cultural space that gains value over time, we will establish a turning point for Dongjak to leap forward as a global cultural hub," concluded Dongjak District mayor Park.

Other major projects being developed in Seoul include the Centre Pompidou Hanwha by Wilmotte & Associés, which is set to open in June, and a rippled-glass shopping centre by Heatherwick Studio.

The visuals are courtesy of Christ & Gantenbein.