SPACE March 2026 (No. 700)
Winning proposal of Architectural Design Proposal Competition for the Andong Cultural City Platform Project ©Simplex Architecture
Architectural Design Proposal Competition for the Andong Cultural City Platform Project
On Dec. 22, 2025, Simplex Architects (Co-Principals, Park Chungwhan, Song Sanghun) was selected as the winning team in the Architectural Design Proposal Competition for the Cultural City Platform Project hosted by Andong City. The competition was part of the Core Hub Project for the Development of Cultural Cities in Korea and sought to create a symbolic space that would serve as a focal point for local cultural life by reusing the existing buildings of Jungang Line 1942 Andong Station.
The site faces a plaza at its front and a park at the rear, while three existing buildings – the former Andong Station building, an electrical substation, and the Cheolwoo Hall – were separated and discontinuously arranged due to a road cutting across the site from east to west. The winning proposal stood out for its interpretation of these site conditions, reconfiguring the plaza, park, and existing buildings into a single continuous public space.
Explaining the strategy of connection, Park Chungwhan stated, ‘Rather than integrating the existing buildings into a single mass, we chose to introduce lightweight canopies and elevated walkways, allowing each building to retain its independence while forming relationships with one another. Through this, we intended the plaza – architecture – park sequence to be read as one continuous circulation route.’
This three-dimensional pedestrian structure serves as a key device in the spatial experience. By placing exhibition halls and retail facilities on the first floor and a library on the second floor, and by linking buildings through decks and rooftop gardens, the project enables both viewing and a desire to linger. The jury commented that the proposal was ‘a fine work that well embodies the virtue of remodeling—achieving a significant effect through minimal intervention’, evaluating its ability to secure both the independence and connectivity of the existing buildings as a strength. In response, Park remarked, ‘I believe the proposal was persuasive because it was realistic and took into account the constraints of a limited construction budget.’
