Cross Towers BIG
BIG have just reveled a new recognizable design, for the Cross # Towers that are located in the Yongsan International Business District in Seoul. These new towers will contribute to the skyline of Seoul and become a recognizable marker of the new cultural and commercial center of the city. BIG was selected to contribute to the design of the Yongsan International Business District among 19 international offices, including SOM, Dominique Perrault, REX and MVRDV. The development will offer over 600 high-end residences and amenities, including a library, gallery space and a kindergarten
Courtesy of © BIG
The Cross # Towers constitute a three-dimensional urban community of interlocking horizontal and vertical towers. Three public bridges connect two slender towers at different levels – underground, at the street and in the sky. Catering to the demands and desires of different residents, age groups and cultures the bridges are landscaped and equipped for a variety of activities traditionally restricted to the ground. The resultant volume forms a distinct figure on the new skyline of Seoul – a “#” that serves as a gateway to the new Yongsan Business District signaling a radical departure from the crude repetition of disconnected towers towards a new urban community that populates the three-dimensional space of the city. Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner, BIG.
Courtesy of © BIG
Rooftops of both the upper and lower bridge present sky gardens and extra space for outdoor activities, which is only accessible to towers residents. Another integrated space at the heart of the complex was introduced as a courtyard, visual access across the this courtyard from the retail zone makes this space more exciting to both towers residents and at the same time creates such impressive views. The courtyard landscape is envisioned to draw from the charm of traditional courtyards combined with the modernity spirit of the project, not only for the residents, but also for pedestrians at the arrival deck.
Courtesy of © BIG
Credits:
Architects: BIG
Local Architect: SIAPLAN
Client: Dreamhub
Engineers: Arup Dublin (SMEP) & Amsterdam (Lighting)
Landscape Architect: Martha Schwarz Partners (MSP)
Location: Seoul, Korea
Partner in Charge: Bjarke Ingels, Thomas Christoffersen, Finn Nørkjær
Project Director: Andre Schmidt
Project Leader: Kamilla Heskje, Cat Huang
Project Team: Buster Christensen, Jeppe Ecklon, Tobias Hjortdal, Jakob Sand, Mikkel Marcker Stubgaard, Camila Luise de Andrade Stadler, Lorenzo Boddi, Karol Borkowski, Igor Brozyna, Eduard Champelle, Erik de Haan, Shun Ping Liu, Enea Michelesio, Daram Park, Lucian Racovitan, Teresa Fernandez Rojo, Tiago Barros, Julian Salazar, Laura Youf, Seung Hyun Yuh, Paolo Venturella
Area: 96,534 sqm
Images: Courtesy of BIG
