북악관 앞마당

Site Context
Kookmin University is located within Bukhansan National Park.
The project site is a rectangular courtyard, approximately 80 meters wide and 47
meters long, situated at a ground elevation about 20 meters higher from the
campus' main gate, accessible by following an upward slope.
Since its establishment in 1973, the courtyard — known as "Democracy Plaza" —
has carried over 50 years of historical significance. However, due to fragmented
levels serving different functions and being primarily used only as a circulation
path, it has faced challenges in achieving the spatial quality and special sense of
place typically associated with an open plaza or central courtyard.
Design Objectives
The design primarily aims to mitigate the physical elevation difference between
the main gate and the designated spaces, while also providing opportunities for
diverse experiences and contemplation along the journey.
To achieve this, a new ground level has been proposed, introducing community
facilities surrounding a newly formed central courtyard.
Meanwhile, the existing plaza level will be transformed into an integrated and
expanded space, fostering convergent communication and accommodating a
variety of activities.
Ultimately, the project aspires to create a new symbolic space for Kookmin
University a memorable "place of life" deeply embedded in the daily experiences
of its members.
Design Description
Architecturally, the existing ground levels, which were previously segmented by
various elevations, walkways, driveways, and planters, will be simplified and
integrated to create a wide courtyard with minimized boundaries, encouraging
its use and perception as a unified open space.
The emergence of the new terrain, the Lower Sky Courtyard (Sunken courtyard),
introduces a courtyard articulated through three-dimensional sections and
spatial layers, intended to evoke a deeper and higher sense of place within the
campus.
The architecture above this new terrain should remain minimal and restrained,
allowing it to be perceived as a natural backdrop. Yet within this terrain, every
sequence and spatial experience should offer a unique scene - spaces that are
equal in presence but distinct in their forms and atmospheres.
While the "Floating Ground" remains elevated approximately 20 meters above
the main campus entrance, the courtyard formed between these two grounds is
envisioned as an open, indeterminate space, where unanticipated events and
encounters occur beyond what we could consciously imagine.