Nature-Technology-Space Theatre Pavilion, Daegu, South Korea welcomes a new Culture Multimedia Theater to enrich the city’s culture. The building stands out as a focal point against a stunning panorama. Its features attractiveness is achieved through a bold curved form, perched onto a peninsula anchored into the sea.
Courtesy of Asymptote Architecture
The sea’s natural environment is influential of the vessel-shaped structure of the pavilion theatre. Somehow the structure is reminiscent of a ship anchored somewhere in-between land and water. Architecturally, the building is covered in silver pillows that function as its cladding system. These transparent segments create an ephemeral, transient and swift effect and there is a sequence of curved pillows and intersecting lines that form the geometrical mesh of the cladding.
Courtesy of Asymptote Architecture
Visitors enter through the gallery space which is accommodated and concealed beneath an artificially formed landscape. Positioned atop namely that landscape is where the visible part of the whole building is. The silver cladding adds to the overall aesthetic experience as well: it reflects the beauty of the natural scene of sea and sky. The exterior of the building and its naturally lit backdrops have a contrasting aspect – the interior is defined as dark and hermetic and due to these atmospheric qualities, it is home to an immersive environment.
Courtesy of Asymptote Architecture
The interior is a place illuminated only by projections the content of which is designed to re-interpret the surrounding environment’s qualities but in an abstract and conceptual way. In this way both the exterior and the interior offer two types of visitor experience – the first through realistic natural scenery such as sky, light and air; and the latter – through the creation of virtual realities that visitors to be drawn into.
Project info:
Architects: Asymptote Architecture
Country: South Korea, Daegu
Area: 3200 m²
Year: 2012
Photographs: Courtesy of Asymptote Architecture
Structural Engineer: knippershelbig GmbH
Design Principlas: Hani Rashid, Lise Anne Couture
Project Directors: John Guida, Josh Dannenberg
Design Team: Brian Deluna, Duho Choi, Allison Austin, Rebecca Caillouet, Gabriel Huerta, John Hsu, Susan Kim, Ryan Macyauski, Yun Shi, Penghan Wu, Hong Min Kim
Client: Kwater Korea
Local Architect: EGA Seoul
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.