Architecture Studio​ YEIN

KIST Smart U-Farm

KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon

KIST SMART U-FARM

Architecture Studio YEIN

MANUFACTURERS
SHINYANG Metal

PHOTOGRAPHS
Joonhwan Yoon

AREA
680 m²

YEAR
2016

CATEGORY
Research Center

LOCATION
Gangneung, South Korea

Text description provided by the architects.

The so-called Smart U-Farm, which is the Gangneung branch of Korea Institute of Science and Technology, is located at the entry of Gangneung Science and Industry Complex.

KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon

While the pre-existing topography for the Complex was cut off to create a flat land to build factories, the Smart U-Farm was laid out not to compromise the surrounding landscape so that the main road runs along the North-South axis between the left and right buildings, cherishing the memory of the land in the midst of pinewood.

At the first layout, the Gangneung branch was to be located at the back of the mechanical room which is now occupying the western part of the building: at the early phase, the Smart U-Farm had been approached indeed as a vegetation factory, almost reaching the level of warehouse, but its relocation to the front of the mechanical room called for a building facade fit for the scenery of the main road.

KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

PHASE1. STUDY THE SURFACE FEATURES OF THE SITE


As a foundational step to reflect the topographical shape as one of the natural elements, we examined not only the topographical characteristics of KIST surrounded by the mountain, but also the topography of the site on which a natural plant wing will be established.

PHASE2. REFLECT THE LOST TOPOGRAPHY INTO THE FACADE


By projecting on the right facade the pre-existing topography which was lost in the site-making process, we intended to pursue an architecture that communicates with nature.

KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon

Also for the area within the KIST, we designed a place to research, experiment on, and cultivate the natural plant by embodying the topography on its front and right facades with eco-friendly blocks so as to enliven the sense of contour lines.

FUNCTION & CIRCULATION PLANNING


Smart U-Farm was designed as two stories in the early phase, but ended up being additionally equipped with the 3rd floor greenhouse.

KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon

Fortunately, the material characteristic of the greenhouse ― transparency ― did not compromise the function and facade of the lower part.

The most important function of the ground (1st) floor is the cultivation room that requires respective environmental controls depending on the kinds of vegetables: it was thus made up of three parts, while such functions as laboratory, office, and seedling cultivation room were made accessible from the main entrance hall.

Particularly, the access to the cultivation room was carefully made to maintain the state of sterilization. Going upstairs to the 2nd floor, one can see an open meeting room connected to the corridor which overlooks the cultivation room downstairs.

KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon

On the 3rd floor, a glazed greenhouse was designed to be accessible through such circulations as stairs and the outdoor passage


KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon
KIST Smart U-Farm
© Joonhwan Yoon


KIST Smart U-Farm
1st /2nd Floor Plan
KIST Smart U-Farm
3rd Floor / Roof Plan
KIST Smart U-Farm
Site Plan

KIST Smart U-Farm
Site


KIST Smart U-Farm
Elevations
KIST Smart U-Farm
Elevations


KIST Smart U-Farm
Sections
KIST Smart U-Farm
Diagram

Architecture Studio​ YEIN
T +82 33 6466505 F +82 33 6466507
Architecture Studio​ YEIN
1063-7, Heonhwa-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea