Samoo Architects and Engineers are among the world’s largest architectural firms with over 5 offices worldwide. Established in the year 1976, the firm has its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. They have diversified into different fields naming Architectural Design, Urban Planning, Interior Design, Engineering and Construction.
Their project sizes are also multidimensional ranging from office, civic and residential works to hospitals, High tech industrials, transportation and mixed-use projects. Samoo was awarded the prestigious ‘Red Dot Design Award’ in 2011 and was ranked 9th globally by BD World Architecture Top 100.
Here are 10 incredible projects by Samoo Architects & Engineers:
1. Samsung Tower Seocho
Built in an area of about 230,000 square meters, the project offices the Samsung group and allied manufacturers. The project was done in collaboration with Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF). The design concept for Samsung Seocho was inspired by the symbolic joinery of traditional Korean wooden architecture. Here, linkages are created at various levels of building to comply with the complex surrounding urban context and knit the various elements programmatically.
The multiple breakdowns of volume on the interiors help in creating the anthropometric proportions to get people easily connected with the environment.
2. National Library Of Sejong
A reverse catenary curve representing the motif of a book page being turned over is the identity created by the first branch of the National Library of Korea built in Sejong City. The library was planned to maximise user groups and spatial possibilities by covering both the analogue and digital formats in them.
The library holds importance to both government and the locals thus is located at a spot of maximum accessibility. The library also has a front scenic view of Sejong Lak.
3. Ecorium Of The National Ecological Institute
The design was created based on a design competition proposed by the Korean government that was won by the Samoo Architects and Engineers. The project is done in collaboration with Grimshaw Architects. The site was an industrial zone that was later converted for the project due to its environmental values and potential.
The Ecoplex is designed on the concept of “Nature’s Odyssey” and the zoning is done based on the five climatic zones ranging from the tropics to the polar region. The project is designed to provide a real sense, where the visitors could see, hear, feel and touch as if inside a tropical forest. Other supporting features such as exhibitions theatres, cafeteria and gift shops are also present.
4. Seoul National University Museum
An angular sliced rectangular box that is cantilever to match the contours of the site is the impression that the Museum gives us. The building was designed keeping in mind the need for free-flowing circulation. The central core is an atrium with a square spiral staircase that acts as a connecting space to areas like exhibition, education, library and operations. The lecture hall and the auditorium seating occupies the angular sliced region of the building.
5. Gwacheon National Science Museum
Built in an area of 49582 meters square, the building was inspired by the theme of “Touch the Universe”. The project was done in collaboration with Space Group Co. Ltd. and Terry Farrell & Partners Ltd. The structure resembles the moment of a high tech aircraft. The astronomy observatory gives the feel of an eye that creates an imaginary axis.
The streamlined shape and the unorthodox orientation help it merge with the surrounding mountains and urban environments.
6. Seoul Botanic Park
This project was adopted after Samoo Architects and engineers won the 2007 International Design Competition for Magok Waterfront. The idea was to mix a botanical garden and a park for the urban residence of the last underdeveloped district of Seoul. The area is being introduced by botanical species and culture of about 12 major cities of the world to promote ecological sensitivity.
The place is an experienced-based park with 11 buildings and a concave ceiling greenhouse (which is the major centre of attraction).
7. Multi-Purpose Arena In Quang Ninh Province
The concept development was from the Ha Long Bay, where the stadium looks like the curious rock that looks onto the reflection in the water. The stadium possesses atypical curved surfaces made of a module repetition of a triangular shape system of 4 panels. Large trusses are being used to span 3305-meter squares; this also becomes the frame for exterior roof and wall materials.
Skylights are used to provide natural ventilation and light. This also takes care that there is ventilation but minimum wind current disturbances for the games.
8. National Science Museum Chanqui Narae Hall
The Museum located in Daejeon helps us to look into an experimental space different from its competitors. Here, the space can be divided into two regions: a concrete structure (exhibition space) and a steel frame structure (storage). The exhibition space was divided into three continuous layers that were connected by a spiral staircase.
The skylight helps in creating the illusion of large headroom, providing an ambient inflow of light. The beauty of the rotunda is emphasised by the reduction of horizontal components.
9. Embassy Of The Republic Of Korea In UAE
The building represents the foundation of South Korea’s diplomatic tie with the Arab Nations. The structure resembles a package full of wedding presents, symbolising a new happy beginning. Here the architecture is a fusion of traditional Korean with Islamic architecture.
A double skin system is used to reduce the consumption of energy and to minimise the solar radiation flux caused due to the hot climate of the UAE.
10. 2012 Yeosu Expo Samsung Pavilion
The pavilion was designed on the theme of “The Living Ocean and Coast”. It also gives away the message of Samsung’s creative problem-solving skills and their goal of preservation instead of destruction. The structure resembles an ark that lands on top of LED cladded lighting systems which are programmed to resemble waves. The design creates a mesmerising mark on the visitors.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoo_Architects_%26_Engineers
https://www.archdaily.com/office/samoo-architects-and-engineers
https://archello.com/brand/samoo-architects-engineers
