dominique perrault to insert lightwalk transit complex beneath seoul

french architect dominique perrault has won a competition to design ‘lightwalk’, the gangnam international transit center in seoul, south korea. the large-scale urban project will form a new zone within the city, in dialogue with the han river and tancheon stream. the program includes a multi-modal hub, train station, urban park, and commercial complex, requiring a large-scale underground intervention in the city.

the program includes a multi-modal hub, train station, urban park, and commercial complex
all images © rayus – dominique perrault architecte

spanning between the two main roads of the gangnam district, bongeunsaro and teheranro, ‘lightwalk’ creates a landscape intervention linking the two axes and acts as an orientation mark from all sides. ‘the lightwalk creates a new horizon,’ explains dominique perrault. ‘rooted in the ground, it is the symbol of a renewed seoul, which aims to become more pedestrian friendly, a landmark for all underground infrastructures worldwide, where users can experience natural light and air, deep into the ground, in the groundscape‘.

‘it is the symbol of a renewed seoul, which aims to become more pedestrian friendly,’ says the design team

an innovative component of the project is the ‘light beam’, an optical installation creating a diffraction of sunlight and amplifying its effects towards the lower levels. in contrast to the dark tunnels of seoul, the interior spaces of the complex are flooded with natural light creating an interior atmosphere which feels like being outdoors. pipes collect and concentrate the sunlight above ground and introduce natural light below grade to ensure the indoor environmental quality.

the project seeks to become a landmark for all underground infrastructures worldwide

interior programs are articulated around the ground-scape park — flooded by the natural light provided by the light beam. greenery will be installed where possible and a variety of gardens can be organized along the groundscape park with a wide varieties of vegetation species. on the southern tip, seoul grand station is a reference to the world’s most iconic train terminals, with all vertical circulations designed to ensure a smooth and seamless flow all the way up.

interior programs are articulated around the ground-scape park spanning the project