Performing Arts Studio of the National Theatre of Korea Archiplan, National Theatre of Korea in the Jangchung district of Seoul, Korea has to be extended to accommodate practice facilities for performers at the theatre. The proposal from Archiplan stands second in the design competition for this. The architects studied the local context of the Theatre and created a unique proposal. Located at the foot of Nam San (Nam mountains) the theatre has been constructed over an artificially cut and filled up ground.
Courtesy of Archiplan
The landscape does not follow the topography around. It is disconnected from its surroundings as it does not follow the natural slope and instead, has a retaining wall along the edge of the main road. Along with the Theatre is Nam San, a number of Universities, cultural facilities, parks and hotels, a shopping district and thus the area is crowded with youth. Yet, the place does not have a strong cultural complex to attract all these diverse groups of people.
Courtesy of Archiplan
The architects proposed that the boundary and retaining wall be broken down, such that the entry and access to the building be lowered and the new extension is built along the natural slope. This initiative by Archiplan dares to transform the identity of the entire expanse. It wants to bring back to the building the context of its surroundings, creating a continuous public space, easily approachable. The new extension pours out into the park, creating a space to gather, a plaza for cultural exchange.
Courtesy of Archiplan
At the entrance towards the plaza, a vesica piscis is formed. The architects took inspiration from the melody and rhythm of dance to create the form of the building. The steps to the plaza seem dynamic yet graceful. From the park, the entrance looks open and inviting, attracting people from all social strata. Through their design, Archiplan have been able to achieve much more than the design brief- a design that energieses the local environment.
Courtesy of Archiplan
Project Info:
Architects: Archiplan
Location: Seoul, Korea
Isabelle Laurent is a Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, recognized for her editorial insight and passion for contemporary architecture. She holds a Master’s in Architectural Theory from École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-Belleville. Before joining Arch2O in 2016, she worked in a Paris-based architectural office and taught as a faculty adjunct at the École Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. Isabelle focuses on curating projects around sustainability, adaptive reuse, and urban resilience. With a background in design and communication, she brings clarity to complex ideas and plays a key role in shaping Arch2O’s editorial