A Thousand Plateaus Observatory
A THOUSAND PLATEAUS OBSERVATORY
Emer-sys
ARCHITECTS
Emer-sys
LEAD ARCHITECT
Janghwan Cheon
CONTRACTOR
Youngjin Construction Co. Ltd
DESIGNER
Dawon Lee
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
SDM
PROJECT ARCHITECT
Dongkyung Shin
FAÇADE CONSULTANTS
Vs-a. Kr
LOCATION
Chuncheon-si, South Korea
CATEGORY
Public Architecture
Text description provided by architect.
This observatory makes the process of walking up the observatory a rich visual and physical experience.
The pedestrian path and open space around the site are naturally drawn into the observatory, extending the urban flow toward the roof and the open decks extending in different directions, allowing you to discover a new aspect of Chuncheon Lakeside
The stairs winding around the observatory and the cantilevered slab provide an optimized view in all directions facing the Chuncheon Lakeside, and a clear open view is available from the top.
Unlike the view from the open deck, which stretches out long and provides an experience of becoming one with the panoramic view in front of you, the view around the Lake through small frames on the stairs and landings of the observatory makes you feel as if you are viewing a picture at a museum.
The curved aluminum panels covering the observatory embody rich phenomena and experiences. The size of the perforated holes, which resemble thousands of droplets, varies from 0.5cm to 3.0cm in diameter, securing an opening rate of 70% at eye level and making it look blocked or open depending on the viewing angle.
Through perforated holes, the effect of light showers is created from the inside and an immaterial sense of mass is created from the outside.
In particular, the wave-like shape created by the perforated panels covering the facade embodies the symbolic image of the soft yet strong landmark of Chuncheon Lakeside. The inwardly curved perforated panel has its own structural rigidity, minimizing the fixtures that support the panels.
In addition, these curved surfaces induce various reactions of light such as reflection, passage, and overlap depending on the viewing angle, and these changes overlap with the mass of the heavy concrete core inside to create a colorful sense of depth every moment of the day.
