MVRDV design gold-tinged Paradise City entertainment zone for Seoul
by Kim Megson | 20 Jul 2016
MVRDV have revealed their design for Paradise City; a 9,800sq m (105,500sq ft) entertainment plaza in Seoul, South Korea.
Located close to Incheon Airport, the complex will feature a boutique hotel, food-court, galleries, a spa, retail space and a nightclub. It will open in time for the 2018 Winter Olympic games, and will act as a tourist hotspot for visitors to the city – with a mono-rail link connecting it directly with the airport.
Local studio Gansam Architects have designed the wider masterplan for the complex, while MVRDV have created two buildings – called the Sandbox and Nightclub – which will house the bulk of the amenities.
The windowless structures have been described by MVRDV as “fluid but monolithic,” with the flowing façades designed to emulate “draping curtains” that entice visitors inside.
The buildings share an architectural language with the surrounding urban landscape, with concrete castings that reflect the exteriors from the surrounding structures.
A golden spot floats over the Nightclub building and the plaza in front, creating “a blast of light before the contrasting dark interior.” MVRDV co-founder Winy Maas described this feature as “a sunbeam that makes its presence known even from the air and the landing planes at Incheon airport.”
Glass flooring inside the buildings will reveal the inner-workings of the site, including the underground service areas and car park.
Construction is expected to begin in September 2016.
An interview with MVRDV founders Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries and Winy Maas – in which they discuss their architectural philosophy and drive “to do things differently” – features in the newly released issue of CLADmag.
MVRDV Paradise City South Korea Seoul Winter Olympics
Construction on the project is set to begin in September / MVRDV
The flowing façades designed to emulate draping curtains that entice visitors inside / MVRDV
The complex will feature a boutique hotel, food-court, galleries, a spa, retail space and a nightclub / MVRDV
The windowless structures have been described by MVRDV as 'fluid but monolithic' / MVRDV
The buildings will share an architectural language with the surrounding urban landscape / MVRDV
MVRDV's new library features a giant reflective 'eye' at its heart
'Vagueness should be killed': MVRDV's Winy Maas calls for more clarity in architecture
Will MVRDV's transparent Infinity Kitchen revolutionise restaurant design?
CLAD weekly roundup: The James Beard restaurant design awards, a Buddy Holly Concert Hall, a cable car in Chicago and Arup's predictions for architecture's future
MVRDV turn traditional buildings inside out for green-lit Zaanstad Cultural Cluster
MVRDV's spiky Danish Museum of Rock opens in Roskilde
EXCLUSIVE: MVRDV founders speak to CLAD about the importance of leisure architecture
MVRDV appoint five new partners as part of reshuffle
MVRDV unveil Beijing leisure hub with an ever-changing façade
Rock music, architecture and design collide in MVRDV's mixed-use masterplan for Ragnarock
Work begins on Seoul's verdant park in the sky
Abandoned shopping mall will be flooded to create a lagoon for Tainan, Taiwan
FEATURE: In conversation – MVRDV’S Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries
MVRDV have revealed their design for Paradise City; a 9,800sq m (105,500sq ft) entertainment plaza in Seoul, South Korea. Located close to Incheon Airport, the complex will feature a boutique hotel, food-court, galleries, a spa, retail space and a nightclub. It will open in time for the 2018 Winter Olympic games, and will act as a tourist hotspot for visitors to the city – with a mono-rail link connecting it
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