Park1538 Gwangyang 文化設施 by Unsangdong Architects and Posco A&C is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 白金獎 in 建築、樓宇及結構設計 Competition Category.
白金建築· 2026
Park1538 Gwangyang 文化設施
by Unsangdong Architects and Posco A&C
Client: Posco
A' Design Award 白金獎 Winner in 建築 Category
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- Verified Award Winner
- Verify Award Status for #182064
The Design
About Park1538 Gwangyang 文化設施
Park1538位於一座擁有悠久煉鋼歷史嘅城市。呢個項目將工業歷史轉化為向公眾開放嘅文化場所，引領訪客認識鋼鐵嘅材料、製造工序同埋煉鋼歷史。鋼鐵通常畀人沉重同堅硬嘅印象，但係呢個項目透過形態同空間展現出材料嘅柔韌性，呈現鋼鐵嘅另一面。懸臂式大廳喺下方營造出開放廣場，而垂直肋條引導訪客穿越層疊嘅空間，並連接建築物嘅唔同樓層。
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award 白金獎
Park1538 Gwangyang 文化設施是 A' Design Award 白金獎得主，這是授予真正卓越、優雅和宏偉設計的極具聲望的認可。白金獎得主是創造的奇蹟，是智力創造力極限的見證，展現出其設計師無與倫比的專業精神和天才。這些設計被期待成為定義一個時代的美學、造福社會、並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術界限的最負盛名的作品。Park1538 Gwangyang 文化設施展現出超凡脫俗的卓越水準，以其有益而寶貴的特質毫無疑問地讓世界變得更美好。Park1538 Gwangyang 文化設施是一件贏得 A' Design Award 白金獎的作品，它喚起慾望，啟發人心，令人愉悅，並迸發出巨大的喜悅。
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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