SAMOO contains presidential archive of korea in transparent glass cube

SAMOO the presidential archive of korea in transparent glass cube
images courtesy of SAMOO
photography by young-chae park

housing the historical records of korea’s presidents, the landmark cultural facility realized by SAMOO in collaboration with kunwon architects, planners and engineers, and ABLine architects, is part of a masterplan proposed by the government to develop a new administrative city approximately 130km south of the capital city seoul. the prominent infrastructure for the new sejong city is purposely located adjacent to the nearby lake forming a cultural axis which also converges with the natural green axis of the central park and because its unique location, the facility will not only be distinctively visible, but also act as a thriving hub for the community.

the facility is based on the government’s masterplan for the new administrative city south of seoul

the cubical form was derived by a box which holds the great seal used by presidents when signing official administrative and diplomatic documents. this box is made of brass and wood, but in this case, it has been translated respectively into stone and glass for this complex. created as a box inside a box, the solid inner wall reduces thermal conductivity while the exterior layer provides additional energy efficiencies. the transparent exterior layer of the cube operates as a vertical cool-tube system that cools the building during the summer while enabling natural ventilation during spring and autumn. futhermore, the unique façade reflects the surrounding during the day and at lights up during the night.

the presidential archive is located strategically adjacent to the sejong lake forming a cultural axis

in order to create a user-friendly facility, careful considerations have been given to the landscaping where parts of the building have been raised as a green-roof which is connected to the surroundings with more than 50% of the site is fully covered in greenery. the strategy of extending the circulation paths of the building into these areas, this has lead many of the landscapes serving as additional space for outdoor events. utilizing innovative techniques, the sustainable complex contains cool-tube systems and natural lighting, enabling heat-loss to be minimized. meanwhile, the green-roof created on the gently sloping podium also reduces heat loads. recently completed, the facility is currently in preparation for official opening.

high and slanted walls seen in the atrium