In 2005, the city of Seoul organized an international competition for a new Performing Arts Center on an existing island in the Hang River. The program for the new center consists of an opera house, a concert hall, a music conservatory, museum, recording studios and other support functions.



The proposal calls for a complete remake of the existing island. A series of 10 bands, each separated by water-gardens, harmoniously divides the event occurring above and below.



While the program activities are generally located within the “bands”, the complete exterior is shaped as an accessible roof-scape. Differences between landscape and building are not apparent and the entire island develops into a solid “rock-like” shape in the river.



The stepping edges of the new island provide equal shore conditions during the widely fluctuating water levels of the river. A hydro-dynamic study was conducted to ensure minimal impact of the new island on the existing river shore.



Type : Cultural - Museum, Concert Hall
Location Seoul Korea, Republic of 
Client : City of Seoul 
Building status : concept proposal 
Site size : 820000 sqft 
Site type : urban 

Christoph Kapeller