Anyang Pavilion, Young-il Park, South Korea (2005 - 2006)



The site is an open space, shorn from the mountain, a square to be created. There are already compromises, perhaps they can be coordinated, even eliminated, we shall see. Back in Porto and the West. I try to transmit the experience, way of life, flavours and foundations of the work. Siza receives, perceives, questions and interprets like no other. From the first work session, a few timid, interpretive blueprints are made.



The second session, supported by a model of the site, is more approximate, form becomes form, content in search of a programme. Other sessions follow, primarily on Saturdays and Sundays. The atmosphere is excellent. Models are built, scale is increased, the blueprints require alterations of the plans, models and 3Ds. It is necessary to return to Korea and present the project to the client.



Álvaro Joaquim de Melo Siza Vieira was born in 1933 in Matosinhos near the city of Porto in Portugal. He graduated from the College of Fine Arts in Porto in 1955 after 6 years of study, later teaching there between 1966 and 1969.



He always had an admiration for the works of Adolf Loos, Frank Lloyd Wright and Alvar Aalto, but early on was able to establish his own language, based not only on the international modernist references as well as the strong building tradition of Portugal. Thus, Alvaro Siza, presents unique works in the modern Portuguese scenery.

Álvaro Siza

Carlos Castanheira

The Busan Lotte World Tower, originally designed by SOM and currently under construction, is already set to get a major overhaul. Developers of the multi-purpose 110 story tower and retail center have determined that the original rooftop garden is inadequate for the project, so they've hired Yamasaki Ku Hong Associates Design Lab (YKH) to design an update as a way to amplify the visitor experience.



YKH have created a series of circular lawns and rooftop decks connected by raised circular pathways. The new space, called 'Way-Pod,' will increase the retail area and add multiple ways for visitors to enjoy the rooftop space.



Recently opened, SOM designed, Lotte Department Store Gwangbok branch in Busan, Korea requested Yamasaki Ku Hong Associates Design Lab (YKH) to modify the existing ‘roof garden’ to allow and amplify users to enjoy the spectacular view of Busan Port. Additionally, the client requested us to find a way to increase ‘brand identity’ and ‘sales volume’.



Existing conditions of roof garden with two separate observatories were not efficiently designed and more importantly were not connected; there were a possibility to increase two floors of additional retail area. YKH have come up with a new idea called, ‘Way-Pod’; Way Pod is derived from I-Pod, creating a hardware that could evolve with time. Way-Pod is comprised of ‘Way’ – free of charge, elevated view corridor – and ‘Pod’ – with charge, entertainment hardware for fun, culture and event.

Architect: Yamasaki Ku Hong Associates Design Lab
Location: Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, Korea
Partner-in-charge: Tae Sun Hong, Won Jin Kim
Project Team: Jeong Yeon Lim, Dong Soo Jang, Ji Hyang Lee, Na Ra Youn
Program: Roof Garden, Observatory, Museum, Retail
Building Area: 19,835 sqm
Total Floor Area: 29,752 sqm

Yamasaki Ku Hong Associates Design Lab