hankook technodome by foster + partners breaks ground in korea

hankook technodome by foster + partners breaks ground in korea
all images courtesy of foster + partners and hankook tire

a research and development center for hankook tire has broken ground in daejeon, korea – home to a growing number of asia’s large technology and engineering corporations. designed by foster + partners, the ‘honkook technodome’ will comprise highly developed laboratories and offices alongside integrated social spaces designed to nurture a culture of collaboration and innovation. instead of the conventional arrangement of offices placed above double-height testing areas, the building is arranged as five fingers, comprising parallel work stations and industrial units. responding to a thorough analysis of the organization, the dynamic and versatile positioning promotes visual and physical interaction between laboratories and departments.

an aerial view of the complex, located withing the korean countryside

research areas within the complex originate from a central spine that extends from the restaurant in the south to staffing accommodation positioned at the north of the site. glazed oval meeting pods are suspended above the full height space, which serves as a light-well bringing natural light inside the building. circulation routes establish a natural divide between public areas and private product development zones, meaning that visitors can tour the center, witnessing the testing machinery in operation.

the site comprises laboratories and offices alongside integrated social spaces

a silver roof canopy unites the site’s various programs, incorporating louvers that provide the ‘technodome’ with shade. from an environmental perspective, the center employs a number of sustainable design strategies including the recycling of heat in order to warm neighboring residential buildings, while a lake at the southern entrance to the site harvests rainwater for use in cooling.

the ‘hankook technodome’ is scheduled for completion by 2016.

glazed oval meeting pods are suspended above the full height space

the technodome offers dining facilities for specialized events