A series of overgrown hill-shaped buildings may be the new architectural icon in South Korea in the future, thanks to Dutch architectural firm, MVRDV. The firm recently won a developer’s competition for designing a new town, Gwanggyo, to be erected about 35 km south of Seoul, in South Korea.
The city is said to be complete by 2011, and aims to be a “power centre” with high urban density.
The hill-shapes, or “green fingers” were produced by British engineer Arup, and has a not-so-subtle ‘green’ message as part of its design. The buildings will all have outdoor terraces, and many areas of plantation. There will also be floor-to-floor circulation systems for storage of water and irrigation for plants.
Rooftops will have planted box hedges, “creating a strong, recognizable, cohesive park.” All these designs are part of the conception of a new ‘green’ urban lifestyle and cityscape which may reduce energy and water usage, improve climate and ventilation, and creating a generally pleasing outdoor space.
