Park1538 Gwangyang Isikhungo Samasiko by Unsangdong Architects and Posco A&C is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ezokwakha, Izakhiwo Nezinhlaka Competition Category.
IplatinamuEzokwakha· 2026
Park1538 Gwangyang Isikhungo Samasiko
by Unsangdong Architects and Posco A&C
Client: Posco
Umklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award Winner in Ezokwakha Category
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- Verified Award Winner
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The Design
About Park1538 Gwangyang Isikhungo Samasiko
IPark1538 itholakala edolobheni elinomlando omude wensimbi. Le projekthi iguqula lo mlando wezimboni ube yindawo yamasiko evulelekile emphakathini futhi yethula izivakashi kuzinto zokwakha, inqubo, kanye nomlando wokwenza insimbi. Insimbi ivamise ukubonwa njengento esindayo neqinile, kodwa le projekthi ikhombisa olunye uhlangothi lwale nto ngokuveza ukuguquguquka ngesimo nangesikhala. Ihholo eliphakeme ngaphandle kwezinsika lidala inkundla evulekile ngaphansi, kanti izimbambo ezimile ziqondisa izivakashi ezikhaleni ezinezigaba futhi zixhumanise amazinga ahlukene esakhiwo.
The Recognition
About the Umklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award
Park1538 Gwangyang Isikhungo Samasiko iwinile uMklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo eyiqiniso eyingqayizivele, ebukekayo nenobukhosi. Abawinile bePlatinamu yizimangaliso zokudalwa, ubufakazi bemingcele yobuhlakani bokudala, futhi babonisa ubungcweti nobuhlakani obungenakuqhathaniswa babaklami babo. Le miklamo ilindeleke ukuba ibe yimisebenzi edume kakhulu echaza ubuhle besikhathi, enikela ekuhlalakahleni komphakathi futhi isunduza imingcele yobuciko, isayensi, ukuklama nobuchwepheshe. Park1538 Gwangyang Isikhungo Samasiko ibonisa izinga elingaphezu kwejwayelekile lobuhle futhi ngokungangabazeki yenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono ngezimfanelo zayo eziluthandwa nezibalulekile. Park1538 Gwangyang Isikhungo Samasiko ngumsebenzi owinile uMklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award ovusa izifiso, ukhuthaza, ujabulisa futhi udale injabulo enkulu.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- Located in a city shaped by steel production, Park1538 transforms industrial identity into cultural value. It serves as a public platform engaging visitors with the material and history of steelmaking. Steel is commonly perceived as rigid and heavy, yet the design reveals its latent flexibility, redefining it as a spatial and formal principle. A cantilevered exhibition hall creates an open plaza, while ramps and vertical ribs guide movement through layered spaces.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Building Scale: Exhibition Hall: 1 Basement Level, 4 Above-Ground Floors, Education Center: 1 Basement Level, 3 Above-Ground Floors Structure: Steel Frame, Reinforced Concrete Structure
- Tags
- Steel Architecture, Industrial Heritage, Cultural Platform, Cantilever Structure, Structural Expression, Long-Span Structure, Industrial Regeneration, Civic Architecture
- Production Technology
- The project was developed through structural experimentation with vertically oriented steel ribs of varying curvature and inclination, functioning simultaneously as load-bearing frames, facade elements, and spatial guides. Long spans were achieved through precise parametric coordination between structure and envelope. Circulation was conceived as a three-dimensional sequence shaped by ramps and a grand stair integrated into the structural logic. The landscape reconfigures the flat industrial ground into planted mounds, embedding former machinery as sculptural artifacts.
- Design Challenge
- The rib goes beyond a simple envelope. It functions simultaneously as structure, space, and finish, almost like a living organism. Therefore, even a minor change in the position or size of an interior room inevitably causes interference or conflict among the reference module, the linear finishing of the ribs, and the steel truss structure. These concerns were addressed from the early design stage through precise 3D modeling and verification simulations. Integrating the distinctive form with a rational facade system and structural stability required a highly advanced level of integrated design coordination.
- Research
- This research was site-based, focusing on a former greenhouse within Gwangyang Steelworks of POSCO, surrounded by heavy industry yet framed by the Seomjin River and Baegunsan Mountain. The objective was to transform a production-oriented site into a public cultural space. Through historical study, site analysis, and user mapping, we examined industrial heritage and environmental contrasts. The result reconnects industry, landscape, and community, turning a closed industrial ground into an open civic platform.
- Inspiration
- The design draws inspiration from the name of the city, Gwangyang, which means sunlight. Sweeping, curved surfaces reflect and refract light throughout the day, making the building a dynamic presence. The fluid geometry of the steel expresses both its weight and surprising adaptability, turning strength and flexibility into sculptural yet purposeful architecture.
- Project Duration
- The project started in September 2020 and was completed in April 2025.
- Operation Flow
- The project operates as an open public platform where structure and circulation shape the visitor experience. Movement unfolds through ramps and vertical transitions, gradually revealing framed views of the city and industrial landscape. The cantilever creates a sheltered plaza, extending public space beneath. Steel ribs act as structure, facade, and spatial guides simultaneously, enabling long spans and flexible layouts. This integration of structure and space results in clarity, adaptability, and immersive engagement.
- Patents
- Copyrights belong to Unsangdong Architects Cooperation, 2026
- Team Members
- Architects Firm: Unsangdong Architects
POSCO A&C
Lead Architects: Yoongyoo Jang
Changhoon Shin
Mijung Kim
Dongkeun Kim
Architects: Minkyun Kim
Eunsol Ko
Siyoung Lee
Nahee Kwon
Moonhwan Kim
Hee Cho
Seongmook Lim
Seho Ahn
Kyungmo Kim
Bosung Park - Image Credits
- Photographer Sergio Pirrone, Park1538 Gwangyang, 2025
Video Credits: Sergio Pirrone
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