D.LIM architects: ahn jung geun memorial hall

D.LIM architects: ahn jung geun memorial hall
image © youngchae park
all images courtesy of D.LIM architects

nestled around a forest on mount nam, the ahn jung-geun memorial hall designed by south korean firm D.LIM architects, is an environmentally efficient center dedicated to one of korea’s most famous patriots. located on namsan in seoul, korea the building’s configuration of 12 cubic masses are clustered around a central void space. extending upwards from a sunken base, half of the volume sits below the ground level – protecting the view shafts of the 40-foot tall trees that surround the site.

during the day the structures stand tall, like spirits towering over the nearby old war shrine, while at night the hall turns into 12 brightly-burning lights as hundreds of thousands of people pay tribute to the well known independence activist, nationalist, and pan-asianist. the public building offers visitors a sensory experience with an atmosphere that encourages commemoration and contemplation. prominent digital LED screens display ahn’s legacy, projecting images and videos onto the interior spaces.

during the day, the memorial hall stands tall, like spirit tablets, towering over the old site of the war shrine
image © youngchae park

the orthogonally arranged volumes offer a high diversity of spaces with internal large openings. a three-storied centralized void space features a retractable skylight, which emits daylight and natural ventilation into the building. sustainable design principles are applied throughout, with a double-layered skin in the assembly hall and polycarbonate panels to keep the inside temperature stable, as well as providing natural light. water surrounding the site’s perimeter falls down to the sunken floor level in summer helping to naturally cool the interior of the building. the translucent texture of the u-shaped glass facade accentuates light reflections and the surrounding greenery, enhancing the symbolic significance of the commemorative hall.

the ahn jung-geun memorial hall is surrounded by 40-foot tall trees
image © youngchae park

at night, it becomes 12 brightly-burning lights as hundreds of thousands of people visit the hall on Mount Nam
image © youngchae park

water in the perimeter of the site falls down to the sunken floor in summer, which cools down the areas around the building
image © youngchae park

sunken area
image © youngchae park

a three-storied void space is placed in the center of the building
image © youngchae park

the staircase on the first floor
image © youngchae park

view in the lobby
image © youngchae park

plan level 1f

plan level 2f

plan level B1

project info:

architects: young lim + sun kim (D.LIM architects)
project team: sunyoung hwang, jihwan kim, seokwon lee, kyungtae park, hojun song
photographs: youngchae park
location: namsan park, seoul, korea
building area: 1,185.02 m2
gross floor area: 3,756.61 m2
building scope: b2, 2f
exterior finish: u-profiled glass(double), thk 28 pair glass, exposed concrete
interior finish: basalt, polycarbonate panel, water paint on the gypsum board
structure engineering: kyungjai structural engineers co., ltd.
civil engineering: saegil engineering & consulting co., ltd.
mechanical engineering: eng energy design lab
electrical engineering: hitec engineering co.,ltd
lighting design: well-light
construction: daewoo e&c
construction completion: 2010.10
client: the building council of ahn jung-geun memorial

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