French architect chosen to build public transit center in southern Seoul

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Tue, June 19, 2018 | 11:53

Seoul & provinces

French architect chosen to build public transit center in southern Seoul

Posted : 2017-10-23 17:02

Updated : 2017-10-23 17:08

By Kim Se-jeong

A consortium led by French architect Dominique Perrault was selected to build a public transit center in southern Seoul, the Seoul city government said Monday.

Due to open in 2023, it is an underground public transit center between Samseong Station on Line 2 and Bongeunsa Station on Line 9, which is 560 meters long.

The structure will also be 51 meters deep, housing platforms and transit areas for seven train lines ― two subway lines are currently running and an additional five are planned ― plus bus transit points, shops and offices.

Perrault previously designed the Ewha Campus Center, a landmark of Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

A highlight of Perrault's design is a light beam on the surface level which will collect natural light and illuminate the underground space. The surface level covering almost 30,000 square meters will be transformed into a public park.

"We gave credit to the fact the winner's design tried to create a natural space in the bustling district of the city," the city said in a statement as to why it chose the work.

The winner will have one year to finish the planning starting from Jan. 1, 2018.

The project is part of a bigger initiative by the city to turn the area into an international conventions and meetings cluster. COEX in the neighborhood already serves as the city's main conference and exhibition venue.

Jamsil Olympic Stadium and other sports and cultural facilities are also nearby. The city expects the transportation center will provide convenient services to visitors to the area.

skim@ktimes.com