CITY TOWER
LOCATION Incheon, South Korea
CLIENT Korea Land Corporation
PROGRAM Observation Tower (450m), Dining, Entertainment, Hotel/Hospitality, Observatory, Education
AREA 25,000SM
STATUS Design 2008
CONSULTING ENGINEERS Buro Happold
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To develop a space for public identity and communality offers the opportunity to reconsider the formal manner in which tall structures are designed and deployed within culture. The contemporary solution to this problem is largely deference to the mechanics of height as the author for its outward expression. The result is often a project which can be looked at and appreciated for its engineering heroism, but rarely offers any enjoyable type of civic dialogue. This continued habit has developed a cynicism in people about the capability of any architectural project to produce new feelings and sensibilities in its atmosphere.
Our proposal for the CITY TOWER offers a project which situates itself within the city as a communicative participant in a democratic population, instead of an object to be looked at. The proposal suggests that as a central part of the new community, the CITY TOWER softly delivers its visual affection in a manner enabling its attraction to be felt by all.
As architectural responses for tall projects routinely offer technical achievements as the basis for its appreciation, our proposal liberates its audience from pre-required expertise to enjoy an atmospheric experience. This ability to create new audiences for the project enables a new form of cultural activity and community to develop.
