Ecorium of the National Ecological Institute, So far, it could be asserted that ‘green’ has been something which a building incorporates, not so much what a building is. You know what I mean- being green rather than being about green. How are people to know about and why to be green if it’s just a sort of shadow-objective only understood by professionals? Well that’s where projects like the Eden Project in the UK and the Ecorium Project in South Korea come in. These projects are about green. They have no function as offices or retail- they are mostly about the education and ‘think-tanking’ about The built environment, the environment and how they fit together in the future.
© Young Chae Park
The Ecorium Project, designed by S.A.M.O.O., exists as a key part of South Korea’s National Ecological Institute, which is intended ‘ do comprehensive study of the converging eco-systems of nature, human and climate to ensure safety, stability and the harmonious coexistence of competing agendas’ according to a S.A.M.O.O. spokesperson. Comprised of a series of interlinking, wedge-shaped greenhouse semi-domes. Within these, high-tech instruments track the sun and adapt the internal environment to create the greenhouse’s own internal ecosystems. This is expertly achieved through sun-tracking analysis- according to which the greenhouses are positioned- and as a part of this, shadow-tracking. This creates an optimal growing environment for the plants within by preventing any semi-dome from shading another. Low-iron, Low-e double adorns the organic forms’ exteriors, contributing to the maintenance of the internal environment.
© Young Chae Park
The buildings form an integral part of the public awareness/experience end of the grander NEI program, which ‘will play a important role as a think tank for research and policy making. Additionally, this institution will foster and nurture the general public’s awareness, educate and the importance of the environment through exhibitions and education programs’.
Project info:
Architects: Grimshaw, Samoo Architects & Engineers
Country: South Korea, Seocheon-gun
Year: 2013
Area: 33090 m²
Photographs: Young Chae Park
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.