SPACE Jun 2024 (No. 679)
Winning proposal of Korea Meteorological Administration Net Zero National Meteorological Center International Invited Design Competition ©PLP Architecture + Posco A&C Co., Ltd.
On Apr. 26, the result of the Korea Meteorological Administration Net Zero National Meteorological Center International Invited Design Competition held by Korea Meteorological Administration was announced. This competition aimed to establish a new Net Zero National Meteorological Center symbolising the ways the Korea Meteorological Administration are on the front lines of the climate crisis, monitoring of climate and weather changes, in conjunction with relocating the operational and support spaces of the Korea Meteorological Administration headquarters from Daejeon. Five teams participated in the competition, including three international teams: Zaha Hadid Architects, Morphosis, and PLP Architecture, and two domestic teams: SAMOO Architects & Engineers and HAEAHN Architecture. The proposal by PLP Architecture (principal, Lee Polisano) and Posco A&C Co., Ltd. (principal, Kim Wooki), who formed a consortium, was selected as the winning design. Their proposal presented a ‘BOX-IN-A-BOX’ design concept incorporating the essence of all four seasons and emphasising a simple yet effective passive technology. PLP Architecture expressed their aspiration to practice carbon neutrality throughout the lifecycle of the building, aspiring to be an example for carbon-neutral architecture and environmental protection. Additionally, through the design concept, they proposed a place where humans and nature could interact by adding biophilic design elements between the garden and the interior and the concept of a ‘third place’. The jury consisted of Erik L’Heureux (professor, National University of Singapore), Mihn Hyunjun (professor, Hongik University), Baek Jin (professor, Seoul National University), Wee Jinbok (principal, UIA), and Woo Euijung (principal, METAA Architects & Associates). Wee Jinbok commented that the winning design ‘will be a great message for the future Korea Meteorological Administration on climate change through architecture itself’. The Net Zero National Meteorological Center is planned to be located at Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, covering an area of approximately 9,000m2 with a gross floor area of about 8,127m2, spanning one underground floor and three floors above ground.
