SPACE-[Public Architecture for Tomorrow] Youth Center WiTH

SPACE February 2023 (No. 663)

Youth Center WiTH

Chang 2-dong, Dobong-gu was a semi-industrial area planned in the 1970s and 1980s, and it became a low- rise urban residential area with its mix of markets and neighbourhood living facilities as the residential density gradually increased. Youth Center WiTH aims to become a small but strong regional base space that can be easily accessed within the daily living area. The site composed of three lots is of a narrow and long shape. A triangular open yard is created at the front as a device to secure awareness and accessibility to the alleyway. Extending the length of the façade visually and providing a breathing space in the neighbourhood, this has absorbing power that lures people.A good community facility needs a diverse range of common spaces. In order to address this issue effectively within the limited area, the stairs were placed in the triangular space created in line with the yard. The stairs are designed to expand and connect various niche spaces beyond that of a simple vertical circulation and serve as a background to activities in various programmes for residents and youth.A graphic wall that covers the entire staircase has been created in collaboration with Team Thursday, a graphic artist duo from the Netherlands and the residents of the nearby MMCA Residency Changdong. This wall is a medium to represent the unique colour and bright atmosphere behind the brick elevation in line with the surrounding buildings. Revealing its presence through a large window towards the alleyway, the wall attracts curious youth and residents to the building. Along the graphic wall, the stairs serve as an information centre (first floor), seats on the stage (second floor), homework space (third floor), and a cosy floor (fourth floor). The front yard facing the street and the triangular staircase which plays the function of a shared space more than vertical circulation bring the context of the city into the building and make the entire building a compelling background for a wide range of activities. (written by Shin Hosoub, Shin Kyungmi / edited by Bang Yukyung)

Architect

SHIN architects (Shin Hosoub, Shin Kyungmi)

Design team

Jo Jihyun, Lee Nayoung

Location

18, Deongneung-ro 59-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul, Korea

Programme

neighbourhood living facility, youth facility

Site area

328㎡

Building area

175㎡

Gross floor area

604㎡

Building scope

Parking

Height

16.35m

Building to land ratio

58.07%

Floor area ratio

200.58%

Structure

Exterior finishing

brick, aluminum sheet

Interior finishing

birch plywood, concrete, rubber tile, graphic pai

Structural engineer

THE ONE Structural Eng.

Mechanical and electrical engineer

Chunil Engineering co., LTD.

Construction

Minjung Construction

Design period

Apr. – Dec. 2016

Construction period

Mar. – Nov. 2017

Cost

1.6 billion KRW

Client

Dobong-gu Office

Graphic wall

Team Thursday

Shin Hosoub

Shin Hosoub studied architecture at the Department of Architectural Engineering at Korea University and at Ecole d’architecture de la ville & des territoires à Marne-la-vallée, France. He is an architect DPLG and Korean registered architect. After experiencing and working on various projects in Paris and Korea, he co-founded SHIN architects with Shin Kyungmi in 2010. He has been carrying out interesting works that address various issues for mutually communicative and sustainable architecture from an integrated perspective. He is an adjunct professor in the Department of Architecture at Yonsei University, and he has sincerely fulfilled various roles of an architect required in public architecture.

Shin Kyungmi

Shin Kyungmi spent her middle and high school years in France and completed her master’s programme at Ecole d’architecture de la ville & des territoires à Marne-la-vallée and received the French National Certified Architect (HMONP). She has experienced complex practices ranging from exhibition design to residential projects in Paris and Seoul. In 2010, she co-founded SHIN architects with Shin Hosoub, and has been carrying out works of various scales through rational and emotional thinking. She taught at the University of Seoul, and is exploring various possibilities of architecture while continuously exploring collaboration with other fields.