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CHEONGNA CITY TOWER INCHEON
CHEONGNA CITY TOWER INCHEON
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CHEONGNA CITY TOWER INCHEON
Firm
Type
Our
approach was to develop an iconic tower form that is conceptually expressive of
the confluence of regional energies which define the Cheongna area as Korea’s “Open
window to the world”. Cheongna’s aspirations to create a global center for
cultural and economic exchange in the center of Northeast
Asia can be distilled into a symbolic form born of the emotion and
spirit of the place. Conceptually, the
landscape or horizontal ground plane is where these energies are individually
peeled up and radically transformed into vertical elements to create the tower
form. Not unlike the mountain landscape that surrounds Cheongna, horizontal
forces in nature converge to create vertical movement and an eternal push
skyward.
The
tower form is composed of four independent rectangular legs which emerge out of
the landscape from the southwest, northwest, northeast and southeast corners of
the site. Not unlike the organic twisted surface roots of the Banyan tree, each
of the four tower legs dramatically slope up towards a central convergence
point along a unique path and geometry to create a grouping of almost touching towers.
The four rectangular tubes ultimately converge around a vertical void space
then become vertical to form an asymmetrical implied cruciform plan. The
northeast tower leg shifts out within the midlevel volume and pulls away from
the central void as it rises to the top to create an extended space between the
legs. Each of the four towers ascends to a unique height with the southeast
tower alone extending from the ground up to the 449m height limit. The resulting sinuous form is defined by the
fluid transformation of the 4 trussed tubes from landscape into a vertical
tower structure which dissolves into the sky.
At
three distinct levels within the 449m height the tower legs are connected by
suspended glass volumes within which the tower legs become integrated into the
occupied interior space. The resulting stacked cruciform plans contain the
multi-level lobby/observation program spaces, related amenity functions and
service/mechanical space in discreet multi-level towers. The first level of
each volume contains all mechanical and service related spaces, fire exit
transfers and refuge areas. Typically there are two levels immediately above
containing all amenity program elements including food service/restaurant and
entertainment, multi function rooms, gallery space etc. The top levels of each
volume are the observation decks which include the double-decker elevator
lobbies and a variety of related spaces. Primary circulation between floors
within each volume is by escalator.
The
lower volume containing floors T101-T106 is located between +59m and +94m. This
6 story volume contains the first occupied spaces in the tower and is the
primary vertical distribution point for the mid-rise and high-rise express
elevators, the shuttle tube elevators from the underwater entry hall and the
inclined elevators from the pedestrian ramp. The two amenity levels include a
variety of restaurant spaces including a large outdoor covered terrace cut out
of the connection volume overlooking the CityTowerPlaza and the surrounding landscape.
The
mid-rise volume containing floors T201-T205 is located between +205m and +230m.
This 5 story volume contains the mid-rise elevator lobbies, observation decks
and the related amenity spaces. This is the first observation level in the
tower and places the viewer the equivalent of 60 floors above the ground. This
observation experience can be related to the Rockefeller Center Top of The Rock
in New York’s
midtown in that the elevation places the viewer among the adjacent high-rise
buildings.
The
high-rise volume containing floors T301-T307 is located between +345m and +400m
and is designed as a series of stacked vertical spaces interconnected by a
circular central atrium. This penthouse multi-level volume contains the
high-rise elevator lobbies, multi level observation decks and related amenity
spaces. This is the highest group of observation levels in the tower and places
the viewer the equivalent of 90 to 100 floors above the ground. The observation
experience at this elevation is unique and offers distant views only possible
in a select group of the tallest buildings in a handful of cities around the
world.
At
the upper 2 observation levels, the central volume rises up with the single
full-height tower leg and culminates with soaring glass roof enclosure
inscribed with a circular oculus in-line with the central atrium and voids. The
vertical stacking arrangement of observation spaces within the tower transforms
the observation deck experience into one of visual discovery as viewers climb
through the levels individually crafting their own ascent to the top. The
observation spaces encourage a more intimate exploration of the structure and
the unique spaces within the structure. This intimate spatial relationship to
the structure itself is what characterizes the delight of occupying the
structure itself rather than a more conventional space supported by a separate
and concealed tower structure. This is an essential element in the magical
experience one has visiting the EiffelTower and is intrinsic to
the development of the design of CityTower.
Lighting Design
The proposed lighting concept for CityTower
is intrinsic to the development of an architectural image that can produce an
emotional response and speak to the aspirations of Cheongna.Human perception of light tends to be a universally
common experience as the effect of local culture is minimal. In this way, light
can be interpreted as a universal or global language which we use to understand
our built environment in relation to nature. The effective use of this language
is critical for the legibility of the tower design.
Conceptually,
our design proposes that the ground plane is peeled up at four corners to
produce four unique vertical layers which together form the tower structure.
This is the essential act which produces the abstract tower form. The proposed
lighting concept is designed to follow this basic narrative. Exterior tower lighting shall be focused on
creating and projecting the image of these four peeled planes moving vertically
from the ground into the sky. White is often considered the colour of
perfection, faith and purity and is the essential colour typically associated
with energy and light. The proposed lighting design utilizes white light and is
greatly enhanced
by the luminescence of the pearlescent white finish proposed for the perforated
aluminium façade cladding.
Although the tower legs are physically constructed
as rectangular tubes, they can be lighted as volumes composed of four distinct
flat surfaces. Lighting controls will permit the discreet illumination of the
individual legs to be manipulated by the intensity and the presence or absence
of light. This approach offers the opportunity to deconstruct the tower into
four individual tower elements by placing some in darkness and ultimately,
individual surfaces of light, by leaving only a particular surface bathed in
light. It is this ethereal image of thin “light surfaces” originating in the
landscape and reaching up into the night sky which is symbolic of the Cheongna’s
essential quality.
In
addition to this primary lighting strategy described above, the perforated
aluminium cladding supports the application of a variety of back lighting,
surface lighting, and projected multimedia and integrated led technologies. The
largely uninterrupted vertical surface area of each tower leg provides a
neutral canvas for an ambitious lighting program developed around significant
cultural events, national holidays and yearly celebrations. This idea of the
‘neutral canvas’ suggests there is an interesting opportunity for a City Tower
sponsored art program, or Artist In Residence program related to the tower
lighting.
Materials and Systems
In
thinking about the materials for the primary tower elements we look to build on
the conceptual design narrative to inform the quality and nature of the
surfaces and their relationships to each other. The essential tower form is
generated by the converging four sinuous legs which emerge from the ground
plane to form a cruciform configuration around a vertical void space. These rectangular volumes are conceived as
smooth somewhat abstract objects which together form the seminal image of the
tower that looks toward the future.
These forms appear in the skyline as volumes of energy and light
connecting the earth and sky. This ethereal and image is at once abstract and
yet technically expressive of the underlying structural system through the
subtle ghosting of the trussed-tube structure behind a diaphanous skin. The
intent is to impart a precious jewel-like quality to the legs in support of the
desire to create an image appropriate for a symbol of a city that will be the
“Sapphire of the world”.
The
exterior envelope of the tower structure is composed of 2 primary wall types.
Wall
type 1 –Tower Legs
The
4 tower legs are uniformly clad in an open joint perforated aluminium panel
skin. The density and size of the perforation can be varied to suit the
specific requirements related to the location and orientation on the tower. The
diaphanous surface will take on a range of abstract visual qualities from
appearing almost transparent under certain light conditions to translucent
approaching opaque in others. The trussed tube structures within will be
revealed in varying degrees throughout the day creating an ethereal image that
is responding to the environment and light conditions.
This
effect is enhanced by the pearlescent white finish designed to create visual
depth and a reflective quality that changes with the angle of reflection and
observation. The luminescence and inherent iridescent qualities of this finish
imparts a celestial and futuristic character to the skin.
Occupied
zones within the tower legs incorporate a transparent floor to ceiling glass
wall behind the aluminium skin. The visual experience from within the tower
legs is unique and the density of perforation in the aluminium panels is
modified in these occupied zones to provide more visibility.
Wall
Type 2 –Center Volumes
The
center volume of each of the three suspended program volumes is clad with a
mechanically ventilated double curtainwall system. The curtainwall is composed
of a single floor to ceiling monolithic exterior glass layer, a 100mm
ventilation cavity with an insulated glass unit on the interior. The proposed
curtainwall employs the latest in low –e glass technology to permit the maximum
transparency and minimal interior reflectivity while meeting strict solar and
thermal performance standards. The cavity features an integrated shade device
that can be programmed to operate as required in changing daylight conditions.
As the primary function of the occupied spaces within the tower is observation,
the tendency is for occupants to remain in close proximity to the façade for
extended periods. As a result, thermal comfort is of particular importance.
Wall
Type 2a- Connecting Volumes
The
connecting volume at each of the three suspended program volumes is clad with a
variation of the type 2 ventilated double curtainwall with a large 2.5m wide
module for uninterrupted viewing. The spandrel panel is recessed to permit the
floor by floor ventilation of the façade.
MASTERPLAN ANDSITE DESIGN
The
Cheongna masterplan highlights the relative importance of the east-west canal
passageway which bisects the CentralLakePark
to define the primary pedestrian urban corridor through the city. In response,
the cruciform plan of City Tower is positioned along the western edge of
Central Lake Park centered on the east-west canal axis and rotated 45 degrees
from the cardinal directions. The legs spread out to the 4 corners of the site
boundary rotated off north to create four large axial voids under the tower.
Super-tall
buildings of this scale should strive to transcend a purely sculptural or
‘object in the park’ quality to become an active urban catalyst. In this sense,
the tower form needs to not simply occupy a central space within the park and
provide a dramatic terminus point, but should define an urban room and preserve
the continuity of public space through the site from east to west across the
Park.
Not
unlike the parabolic voids at the EiffelTower’s base within the
Parc Champs de Mars, City tower’s sinuous legs fan out at the base to create a
dynamic urban multi-level outdoor space defined by the trussed tube structures
above and plaza architecture below. This is an essential urban design quality
of the CityTower design which the preserves the
visual corridor along the east west canal axis and north south axis and crafts
a surreal visual and spatial experience. It is this informal space that bridges
the more urban experience at the ground level with the more ethereal and
emotional experiences within the tower structure.
The
CityTower entry plaza extends east into the
site at street level from the main north south blvd along the western edge of CentralLakePark. This major north south road has been named City Tower Blvd.
The plaza is conceived as a public meeting place punctuated by a series of both
architectural events and year round public performance events. The plaza will be the most vibrant and
diverse large scale public gathering space in the city and will serve as the
cultural and entertainment center of Cheongna.
From
the plaza surface, a dramatic ramped entry volume extends up in a sweeping
curve to form the southeasterly tower leg. This leg contains the ceremonial
pedestrian access to the tower through an interior entry hall. The space
incorporates a series of events and accommodates exhibits and audio-visual
experiences and relates the experience to the tower’s movement skyward. This tower
leg extends to 449m above the plaza level and is the only tower leg which
extends to the full height limit relating the transformation from earth to sky
to the entry experience.
Passage
through the entry hall terminates at a group of inclined elevators which lead
into the central entry volume located 60m above plaza level. A curving ramp
extends out from the plaza to provide pedestrian access to the landscaped
rooftop surface of the entry volume to provide a parallel exterior entry
experience overlooking the SouthLake.
The
dramatic sweeping inner curve of the tower leg overlooks the edge of a large
sunken outdoor plaza lined with a multi-level food court, restaurant and retail
bar. From this sunken plaza level at -12m below the street level the Southeast
tower leg emerges and passes through the space as it ascends skyward. The large
opening is bisected by a floating water bridge providing uninterrupted canal
passage from the east-west canal way across the void into the SouthLake.
This space will can host a number of outdoor events and performances and would
be the ideal location for a seasonal skating rink not unlike the RockefellerCenterPlaza.
A
curved glass pavilion located at the street entrance to the plaza contains
visitor information, orientation, advance ticketing and Tour Group services for
the multiple programs and activities within the tower complex.
The
podium buildings containing the Visitor’s Center and amenities, an AquaPark,
Kid’s Park, CityTowerRetailCenter and court, service
and below grade parking are conceived as a series of ramped earth works
emerging from the landscaped plaza at the base of the tower in concert with the
sloped tower leg geometry. The plaza surfaces ramp up to form walkable roof
landscapes creating a diversity of experiences and vantage points to view the
tower above and surrounding park. The roof landscapes are punctuated by
clusters of linear glazed apertures which bring natural light down into the
program spaces below.
The
tower leg at the Northwest corner emerges from the plaza through a multi-level
linear glass circulation spine which serves as the primary access to the main
podium program spaces. This circulation space terminates in the cable car
station at the northwest corner of the plaza and extends southeast under the
tower center into a circular under water entry hall. The entry hall contains
the twin shuttle elevator tubes which extend up through the sky lit oculus at
the surface of the lake into the entry volume suspended from the tower above.
This dramatic water to sky vertical entry experience provides a more direct
alternative to the extended more horizontal pedestrian ramp entry sequence and
connects directly with the below grade parking and other amenities within the
complex.
The
east-west canal passage way extends into the site from the west under and
across the primary north south blvd where it dissolves into the CityTower
landscape visible only through a series of large circular openings in the plaza
surface which trace its path and connect the canal to the plaza and sky
above. The canal passage way itself is
conceived as a pedestrian retail “river walk” defined by a pattern of
overlapping stone lily pads clustered together to form an infinite number of
floating paths along the retail
storefronts fronting the canal.
The resulting waterway is characterized by a more unpredictable
undulating path and provides an interesting contrast to the directional path of
the canal space.
The
footprint of the tower, podium massing and plazas creates a land mass that
projects east into the center of the CentralLakePark.
Projecting west from the mouth of the east west canal way toward the center
from the eastern edge of the park is a second land mass containing the
remaining significant program element.
The lake passage is pinched at this point effectively creating a north
and south lake connected by a smaller scaled channel. The effect is to create a
point of visual tension where the eastern part of the park converges with the
tower landmass.
The
‘ThemedVillage’ or ‘EuroPark’,
conceived as a ‘Global Village Pavilion’ sits on the eastern side of the park
within a curving landscaped peninsula. This retail, entertainment and cultural
center is a circular glass volume within which interior exhibit and retail
objects containing the cultures of the world are grouped into a village-like
arrangement. The pavilion itself could function as a small scale expo site
promoting the “Open window to the world” theme expressed in the IFEZ plan.
Although
separated by the narrow lake channel, the eastern peninsula is connected to the
western side by a delicate curving pedestrian causeway and is accessed from the
eastern north south road and through the east west canal way.
The
design also incorporates a delicate pedestrian bridge that extends up from the
east west canal way to the east and west of the Park and subtly bypasses the
tower by looping around the shuttle elevator tubes at the center of the tower
void. This bridge allows pedestrians to take a journey across the width of the
park at an elevated position and offers a unique experience of passing through
the center of the axial voids formed by the tower legs. From within the CentralLakePark,
the bridge is perceived as a thin line connecting the two sides of the city
together.
Site Circulation
The
City Tower Plaza is located directly off City Tower Blvd at the western edge of
the site on axis with the east west canal way. The large public plaza is an
extension of the Blvd sidewalk at elevation 0m and is the primary entry and
distribution point for pedestrians visiting the tower complex. From this
central location, pedestrians have access to the visitor’s center pavilion,
tower leg entry ramp, landscaped roof levels, and the multi-level linear glass
circulation spine which serves as the primary access to the main podium program
spaces. This circulation spine provides
access to the cable car station located at the northwest corner of the site,
Aqua Park, kid’s Park, the retail court and sunken plaza, parking and the under
water Tower shuttle elevator hall located below the tower’s central void. From
various locations in the plaza, ramp access is provided to the Lake side promenade as well as the east west canal way at
elevation -4m.
Primary
vehicular access to the site is via two two-way entry speed ramps located along
City Tower Blvd
at the north and south edges of the plaza adjacent to the two main cross
streets. These two ramps provide visitors by car with direct access to the
below grade parking levels located at -9m and -12m below the plaza. The volume
of vehicular traffic for this facility suggests a combination of below grade
self-park areas, valet serviced areas and perhaps the use of an automated or
robotic parking system.
A
two-way truck/service ramp runs parallel to the north vehicular ramp and
provides direct access to the central service /loading dock area located at -6m
below the plaza. This central service area is the central distribution point
for all service related circulation.
As
the CityTower and related amenity facilities can
expect a significant number of tour group visitors, a covered bus drop off/pick
up area is located directly off the plaza along City Tower Blvd.
Vertical
transportation
The
CityTower design utilizes the vertical tower
leg structures to house the primary elevator banks and stair towers. The
typical tower plan takes a cruciform configuration defined by the four tower
trussed tube legs, a central volume and the four connecting volumes. In the
typical floor configuration, the southeast and northwest Tower legs contain the
high-rise and low-rise elevators respectively. The southwest and northeast
Tower legs each contain a fire stair tower.
The
mid-rise observation levels and associated amenity levels are served by a bank
of three double-decker elevators located in the northeast Tower leg. The center
cab in each bank is a designated service/fireman’s lift. The mid-rise elevators extend from twin lobby
levels 105/106 in the lower volume and run express to observation levels
204-205 in the penthouse volume. The plan offers the option to permit transfers
to high-rise elevators at these levels.
The
high-rise observation levels and associated amenity levels are served by a bank
of three double-decker elevators located in the southeast Tower leg. The center
cab in each bank is a designated service/fireman’s lift. The high-rise elevators extend from twin
lobby levels 104/105 in the lower volume and run express to observation levels
304-307 in the penthouse volume.
A
bank of two large shuttle elevators located at the -12m level extends from the
underwater entry hall located below the Towers central void to provide access
directly to the lower volume high-rise and low-rise lobbies.
Two
shuttle elevators are located in the southeastern leg at the top of the ramped
entry. These inclined elevators provide direct access from the ramped entry
volume and landscaped roof level directly to the lower volume high-rise and
low-rise lobbies.
approach was to develop an iconic tower form that is conceptually expressive of
the confluence of regional energies which define the Cheongna area as Korea’s “Open
window to the world”. Cheongna’s aspirations to create a global center for
cultural and economic exchange in the center of Northeast
Asia can be distilled into a symbolic form born of the emotion and
spirit of the place. Conceptually, the
landscape or horizontal ground plane is where these energies are individually
peeled up and radically transformed into vertical elements to create the tower
form. Not unlike the mountain landscape that surrounds Cheongna, horizontal
forces in nature converge to create vertical movement and an eternal push
skyward.
The
tower form is composed of four independent rectangular legs which emerge out of
the landscape from the southwest, northwest, northeast and southeast corners of
the site. Not unlike the organic twisted surface roots of the Banyan tree, each
of the four tower legs dramatically slope up towards a central convergence
point along a unique path and geometry to create a grouping of almost touching towers.
The four rectangular tubes ultimately converge around a vertical void space
then become vertical to form an asymmetrical implied cruciform plan. The
northeast tower leg shifts out within the midlevel volume and pulls away from
the central void as it rises to the top to create an extended space between the
legs. Each of the four towers ascends to a unique height with the southeast
tower alone extending from the ground up to the 449m height limit. The resulting sinuous form is defined by the
fluid transformation of the 4 trussed tubes from landscape into a vertical
tower structure which dissolves into the sky.
At
three distinct levels within the 449m height the tower legs are connected by
suspended glass volumes within which the tower legs become integrated into the
occupied interior space. The resulting stacked cruciform plans contain the
multi-level lobby/observation program spaces, related amenity functions and
service/mechanical space in discreet multi-level towers. The first level of
each volume contains all mechanical and service related spaces, fire exit
transfers and refuge areas. Typically there are two levels immediately above
containing all amenity program elements including food service/restaurant and
entertainment, multi function rooms, gallery space etc. The top levels of each
volume are the observation decks which include the double-decker elevator
lobbies and a variety of related spaces. Primary circulation between floors
within each volume is by escalator.
The
lower volume containing floors T101-T106 is located between +59m and +94m. This
6 story volume contains the first occupied spaces in the tower and is the
primary vertical distribution point for the mid-rise and high-rise express
elevators, the shuttle tube elevators from the underwater entry hall and the
inclined elevators from the pedestrian ramp. The two amenity levels include a
variety of restaurant spaces including a large outdoor covered terrace cut out
of the connection volume overlooking the CityTowerPlaza and the surrounding landscape.
The
mid-rise volume containing floors T201-T205 is located between +205m and +230m.
This 5 story volume contains the mid-rise elevator lobbies, observation decks
and the related amenity spaces. This is the first observation level in the
tower and places the viewer the equivalent of 60 floors above the ground. This
observation experience can be related to the Rockefeller Center Top of The Rock
in New York’s
midtown in that the elevation places the viewer among the adjacent high-rise
buildings.
The
high-rise volume containing floors T301-T307 is located between +345m and +400m
and is designed as a series of stacked vertical spaces interconnected by a
circular central atrium. This penthouse multi-level volume contains the
high-rise elevator lobbies, multi level observation decks and related amenity
spaces. This is the highest group of observation levels in the tower and places
the viewer the equivalent of 90 to 100 floors above the ground. The observation
experience at this elevation is unique and offers distant views only possible
in a select group of the tallest buildings in a handful of cities around the
world.
At
the upper 2 observation levels, the central volume rises up with the single
full-height tower leg and culminates with soaring glass roof enclosure
inscribed with a circular oculus in-line with the central atrium and voids. The
vertical stacking arrangement of observation spaces within the tower transforms
the observation deck experience into one of visual discovery as viewers climb
through the levels individually crafting their own ascent to the top. The
observation spaces encourage a more intimate exploration of the structure and
the unique spaces within the structure. This intimate spatial relationship to
the structure itself is what characterizes the delight of occupying the
structure itself rather than a more conventional space supported by a separate
and concealed tower structure. This is an essential element in the magical
experience one has visiting the EiffelTower and is intrinsic to
the development of the design of CityTower.
Lighting Design
The proposed lighting concept for CityTower
is intrinsic to the development of an architectural image that can produce an
emotional response and speak to the aspirations of Cheongna.Human perception of light tends to be a universally
common experience as the effect of local culture is minimal. In this way, light
can be interpreted as a universal or global language which we use to understand
our built environment in relation to nature. The effective use of this language
is critical for the legibility of the tower design.
Conceptually,
our design proposes that the ground plane is peeled up at four corners to
produce four unique vertical layers which together form the tower structure.
This is the essential act which produces the abstract tower form. The proposed
lighting concept is designed to follow this basic narrative. Exterior tower lighting shall be focused on
creating and projecting the image of these four peeled planes moving vertically
from the ground into the sky. White is often considered the colour of
perfection, faith and purity and is the essential colour typically associated
with energy and light. The proposed lighting design utilizes white light and is
greatly enhanced
by the luminescence of the pearlescent white finish proposed for the perforated
aluminium façade cladding.
Although the tower legs are physically constructed
as rectangular tubes, they can be lighted as volumes composed of four distinct
flat surfaces. Lighting controls will permit the discreet illumination of the
individual legs to be manipulated by the intensity and the presence or absence
of light. This approach offers the opportunity to deconstruct the tower into
four individual tower elements by placing some in darkness and ultimately,
individual surfaces of light, by leaving only a particular surface bathed in
light. It is this ethereal image of thin “light surfaces” originating in the
landscape and reaching up into the night sky which is symbolic of the Cheongna’s
essential quality.
In
addition to this primary lighting strategy described above, the perforated
aluminium cladding supports the application of a variety of back lighting,
surface lighting, and projected multimedia and integrated led technologies. The
largely uninterrupted vertical surface area of each tower leg provides a
neutral canvas for an ambitious lighting program developed around significant
cultural events, national holidays and yearly celebrations. This idea of the
‘neutral canvas’ suggests there is an interesting opportunity for a City Tower
sponsored art program, or Artist In Residence program related to the tower
lighting.
Materials and Systems
In
thinking about the materials for the primary tower elements we look to build on
the conceptual design narrative to inform the quality and nature of the
surfaces and their relationships to each other. The essential tower form is
generated by the converging four sinuous legs which emerge from the ground
plane to form a cruciform configuration around a vertical void space. These rectangular volumes are conceived as
smooth somewhat abstract objects which together form the seminal image of the
tower that looks toward the future.
These forms appear in the skyline as volumes of energy and light
connecting the earth and sky. This ethereal and image is at once abstract and
yet technically expressive of the underlying structural system through the
subtle ghosting of the trussed-tube structure behind a diaphanous skin. The
intent is to impart a precious jewel-like quality to the legs in support of the
desire to create an image appropriate for a symbol of a city that will be the
“Sapphire of the world”.
The
exterior envelope of the tower structure is composed of 2 primary wall types.
Wall
type 1 –Tower Legs
The
4 tower legs are uniformly clad in an open joint perforated aluminium panel
skin. The density and size of the perforation can be varied to suit the
specific requirements related to the location and orientation on the tower. The
diaphanous surface will take on a range of abstract visual qualities from
appearing almost transparent under certain light conditions to translucent
approaching opaque in others. The trussed tube structures within will be
revealed in varying degrees throughout the day creating an ethereal image that
is responding to the environment and light conditions.
This
effect is enhanced by the pearlescent white finish designed to create visual
depth and a reflective quality that changes with the angle of reflection and
observation. The luminescence and inherent iridescent qualities of this finish
imparts a celestial and futuristic character to the skin.
Occupied
zones within the tower legs incorporate a transparent floor to ceiling glass
wall behind the aluminium skin. The visual experience from within the tower
legs is unique and the density of perforation in the aluminium panels is
modified in these occupied zones to provide more visibility.
Wall
Type 2 –Center Volumes
The
center volume of each of the three suspended program volumes is clad with a
mechanically ventilated double curtainwall system. The curtainwall is composed
of a single floor to ceiling monolithic exterior glass layer, a 100mm
ventilation cavity with an insulated glass unit on the interior. The proposed
curtainwall employs the latest in low –e glass technology to permit the maximum
transparency and minimal interior reflectivity while meeting strict solar and
thermal performance standards. The cavity features an integrated shade device
that can be programmed to operate as required in changing daylight conditions.
As the primary function of the occupied spaces within the tower is observation,
the tendency is for occupants to remain in close proximity to the façade for
extended periods. As a result, thermal comfort is of particular importance.
Wall
Type 2a- Connecting Volumes
The
connecting volume at each of the three suspended program volumes is clad with a
variation of the type 2 ventilated double curtainwall with a large 2.5m wide
module for uninterrupted viewing. The spandrel panel is recessed to permit the
floor by floor ventilation of the façade.
MASTERPLAN ANDSITE DESIGN
The
Cheongna masterplan highlights the relative importance of the east-west canal
passageway which bisects the CentralLakePark
to define the primary pedestrian urban corridor through the city. In response,
the cruciform plan of City Tower is positioned along the western edge of
Central Lake Park centered on the east-west canal axis and rotated 45 degrees
from the cardinal directions. The legs spread out to the 4 corners of the site
boundary rotated off north to create four large axial voids under the tower.
Super-tall
buildings of this scale should strive to transcend a purely sculptural or
‘object in the park’ quality to become an active urban catalyst. In this sense,
the tower form needs to not simply occupy a central space within the park and
provide a dramatic terminus point, but should define an urban room and preserve
the continuity of public space through the site from east to west across the
Park.
Not
unlike the parabolic voids at the EiffelTower’s base within the
Parc Champs de Mars, City tower’s sinuous legs fan out at the base to create a
dynamic urban multi-level outdoor space defined by the trussed tube structures
above and plaza architecture below. This is an essential urban design quality
of the CityTower design which the preserves the
visual corridor along the east west canal axis and north south axis and crafts
a surreal visual and spatial experience. It is this informal space that bridges
the more urban experience at the ground level with the more ethereal and
emotional experiences within the tower structure.
The
CityTower entry plaza extends east into the
site at street level from the main north south blvd along the western edge of CentralLakePark. This major north south road has been named City Tower Blvd.
The plaza is conceived as a public meeting place punctuated by a series of both
architectural events and year round public performance events. The plaza will be the most vibrant and
diverse large scale public gathering space in the city and will serve as the
cultural and entertainment center of Cheongna.
From
the plaza surface, a dramatic ramped entry volume extends up in a sweeping
curve to form the southeasterly tower leg. This leg contains the ceremonial
pedestrian access to the tower through an interior entry hall. The space
incorporates a series of events and accommodates exhibits and audio-visual
experiences and relates the experience to the tower’s movement skyward. This tower
leg extends to 449m above the plaza level and is the only tower leg which
extends to the full height limit relating the transformation from earth to sky
to the entry experience.
Passage
through the entry hall terminates at a group of inclined elevators which lead
into the central entry volume located 60m above plaza level. A curving ramp
extends out from the plaza to provide pedestrian access to the landscaped
rooftop surface of the entry volume to provide a parallel exterior entry
experience overlooking the SouthLake.
The
dramatic sweeping inner curve of the tower leg overlooks the edge of a large
sunken outdoor plaza lined with a multi-level food court, restaurant and retail
bar. From this sunken plaza level at -12m below the street level the Southeast
tower leg emerges and passes through the space as it ascends skyward. The large
opening is bisected by a floating water bridge providing uninterrupted canal
passage from the east-west canal way across the void into the SouthLake.
This space will can host a number of outdoor events and performances and would
be the ideal location for a seasonal skating rink not unlike the RockefellerCenterPlaza.
A
curved glass pavilion located at the street entrance to the plaza contains
visitor information, orientation, advance ticketing and Tour Group services for
the multiple programs and activities within the tower complex.
The
podium buildings containing the Visitor’s Center and amenities, an AquaPark,
Kid’s Park, CityTowerRetailCenter and court, service
and below grade parking are conceived as a series of ramped earth works
emerging from the landscaped plaza at the base of the tower in concert with the
sloped tower leg geometry. The plaza surfaces ramp up to form walkable roof
landscapes creating a diversity of experiences and vantage points to view the
tower above and surrounding park. The roof landscapes are punctuated by
clusters of linear glazed apertures which bring natural light down into the
program spaces below.
The
tower leg at the Northwest corner emerges from the plaza through a multi-level
linear glass circulation spine which serves as the primary access to the main
podium program spaces. This circulation space terminates in the cable car
station at the northwest corner of the plaza and extends southeast under the
tower center into a circular under water entry hall. The entry hall contains
the twin shuttle elevator tubes which extend up through the sky lit oculus at
the surface of the lake into the entry volume suspended from the tower above.
This dramatic water to sky vertical entry experience provides a more direct
alternative to the extended more horizontal pedestrian ramp entry sequence and
connects directly with the below grade parking and other amenities within the
complex.
The
east-west canal passage way extends into the site from the west under and
across the primary north south blvd where it dissolves into the CityTower
landscape visible only through a series of large circular openings in the plaza
surface which trace its path and connect the canal to the plaza and sky
above. The canal passage way itself is
conceived as a pedestrian retail “river walk” defined by a pattern of
overlapping stone lily pads clustered together to form an infinite number of
floating paths along the retail
storefronts fronting the canal.
The resulting waterway is characterized by a more unpredictable
undulating path and provides an interesting contrast to the directional path of
the canal space.
The
footprint of the tower, podium massing and plazas creates a land mass that
projects east into the center of the CentralLakePark.
Projecting west from the mouth of the east west canal way toward the center
from the eastern edge of the park is a second land mass containing the
remaining significant program element.
The lake passage is pinched at this point effectively creating a north
and south lake connected by a smaller scaled channel. The effect is to create a
point of visual tension where the eastern part of the park converges with the
tower landmass.
The
‘ThemedVillage’ or ‘EuroPark’,
conceived as a ‘Global Village Pavilion’ sits on the eastern side of the park
within a curving landscaped peninsula. This retail, entertainment and cultural
center is a circular glass volume within which interior exhibit and retail
objects containing the cultures of the world are grouped into a village-like
arrangement. The pavilion itself could function as a small scale expo site
promoting the “Open window to the world” theme expressed in the IFEZ plan.
Although
separated by the narrow lake channel, the eastern peninsula is connected to the
western side by a delicate curving pedestrian causeway and is accessed from the
eastern north south road and through the east west canal way.
The
design also incorporates a delicate pedestrian bridge that extends up from the
east west canal way to the east and west of the Park and subtly bypasses the
tower by looping around the shuttle elevator tubes at the center of the tower
void. This bridge allows pedestrians to take a journey across the width of the
park at an elevated position and offers a unique experience of passing through
the center of the axial voids formed by the tower legs. From within the CentralLakePark,
the bridge is perceived as a thin line connecting the two sides of the city
together.
Site Circulation
The
City Tower Plaza is located directly off City Tower Blvd at the western edge of
the site on axis with the east west canal way. The large public plaza is an
extension of the Blvd sidewalk at elevation 0m and is the primary entry and
distribution point for pedestrians visiting the tower complex. From this
central location, pedestrians have access to the visitor’s center pavilion,
tower leg entry ramp, landscaped roof levels, and the multi-level linear glass
circulation spine which serves as the primary access to the main podium program
spaces. This circulation spine provides
access to the cable car station located at the northwest corner of the site,
Aqua Park, kid’s Park, the retail court and sunken plaza, parking and the under
water Tower shuttle elevator hall located below the tower’s central void. From
various locations in the plaza, ramp access is provided to the Lake side promenade as well as the east west canal way at
elevation -4m.
Primary
vehicular access to the site is via two two-way entry speed ramps located along
City Tower Blvd
at the north and south edges of the plaza adjacent to the two main cross
streets. These two ramps provide visitors by car with direct access to the
below grade parking levels located at -9m and -12m below the plaza. The volume
of vehicular traffic for this facility suggests a combination of below grade
self-park areas, valet serviced areas and perhaps the use of an automated or
robotic parking system.
A
two-way truck/service ramp runs parallel to the north vehicular ramp and
provides direct access to the central service /loading dock area located at -6m
below the plaza. This central service area is the central distribution point
for all service related circulation.
As
the CityTower and related amenity facilities can
expect a significant number of tour group visitors, a covered bus drop off/pick
up area is located directly off the plaza along City Tower Blvd.
Vertical
transportation
The
CityTower design utilizes the vertical tower
leg structures to house the primary elevator banks and stair towers. The
typical tower plan takes a cruciform configuration defined by the four tower
trussed tube legs, a central volume and the four connecting volumes. In the
typical floor configuration, the southeast and northwest Tower legs contain the
high-rise and low-rise elevators respectively. The southwest and northeast
Tower legs each contain a fire stair tower.
The
mid-rise observation levels and associated amenity levels are served by a bank
of three double-decker elevators located in the northeast Tower leg. The center
cab in each bank is a designated service/fireman’s lift. The mid-rise elevators extend from twin lobby
levels 105/106 in the lower volume and run express to observation levels
204-205 in the penthouse volume. The plan offers the option to permit transfers
to high-rise elevators at these levels.
The
high-rise observation levels and associated amenity levels are served by a bank
of three double-decker elevators located in the southeast Tower leg. The center
cab in each bank is a designated service/fireman’s lift. The high-rise elevators extend from twin
lobby levels 104/105 in the lower volume and run express to observation levels
304-307 in the penthouse volume.
A
bank of two large shuttle elevators located at the -12m level extends from the
underwater entry hall located below the Towers central void to provide access
directly to the lower volume high-rise and low-rise lobbies.
Two
shuttle elevators are located in the southeastern leg at the top of the ramped
entry. These inclined elevators provide direct access from the ramped entry
volume and landscaped roof level directly to the lower volume high-rise and
low-rise lobbies.
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