Nurturing Regional Influences

Info & Images: Courtesy N.Forsh - Architectors

  

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Literally rising out of the immediate environment, the Dalseong Citizen’s Gymnasium in Daegu city, South Korea, this open-ideas’ competition entry by architectural bureau, A-Len  follows the natural landscape but is rooted in a definite compositional framework. 

Following an axis running parallel to the existing sports complex, and strategically cutting through the top of a hill, the building silhouette rhymes with the mountainous range in the background. It also follows tenets of traditional Korean architecture; especially observed in the characterization of the windows, which mimic the brick-tile stylization. 

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The main façade wall vaults in plan, follows two main directions and forms the square before the building.  A composition of concrete and metal, the exterior is finished with glazed concrete plates apportioned with channel glass and lantern lights. The interior finish follows a similar material palette and the internal volume is divided into two big functional blocks: multipurpose gymnasium with the stage; and the spectators’ places and the daily sports.  The entrance is provided via two sides: from the bridge side and from the square side; a disabled persons’ entry is also provided for in close proximity to the parking lot.  

 

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The interior spaces are well connected and tend to flow seamlessly, conveniencing traffic. The public multifunctional space hosts the cafe, administrator counter and the staircase to the second floor to the tribunes and billiards zone; and the daily sports club zone adjoins the café zone. To maximize audience ratios for public events and concerts, the hall space is integrated with the multifunctional hall by a broad passage. There are 10 badminton fields in the multifunctional hall, as well as a mobile stage – a flexi-space that can be turned into two additional badminton fields, when needed. Moreover, the hall maybe used for volleyball and basketball games (2 fields) too. With tribunes located along the long side of the fields spectators’ visibility is comfortably catered for. Sportsmen cloakrooms, fire escape staircases, direct exits as well as a fire-protected zone near the elevator are among the other earmarked amenities.

 

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Although this was not the winning entry, the project was shortlisted among the commendable entries that are being published in a book to be released in tandem with the upcoming exhibition at the 2014 Daegu Architectural Culture Biennale.