Banpo Ecological Playscape
A homage to Hangang

2024

Architecture, Landscape Architecture

Introduction

Snøhetta went to the final round in the international design competition of Banpo-Hangang River Connection Park and Cultural Facilities. The design proposal is to create an “ecological playscape” along Seoul’s dormant Banpo waterfront, which envisions to reconnect urban life to the essential Hangang through a cultural destination and natural wonderland at the heart of South Korea’s capital.

Located along the Hangang riverside park and spanning above the Olympic-daero expressway, Snøhetta’s “Banpo Ecological Playscape” inserts an ecological framework with a sculptural landmark and recreational programs across the 38,000 sqm site. The design revitalizes the Hangang floodplains as a public space, restoring the lost connection between land and river due to urbanization and infrastructure. The versatile landscape aims to establish harmony between the urban environment and nature, while also reviving the natural ecology and reinstating public access and activity along the waterfront.

Technical details

Typologies
Park & Garden, Infrastructure, Public Space
Status
Design Proposal
Location
Seoul, South Korea
Client

Seoul Metropolitan Government

Collaborators

Schlaich Bergermann Partner, Buro Happold

Size
38,000

Photo: Mir

Revitalizing the interface between land and water

The sandy floodplains along Hangang once served as a vital interface between land and water for the Seoul community. Until the 1960s, it flourished as a vibrant community hub where shared memories were cultivated year-round, fostering an intimate bond between the locals and the natural surroundings. The community took delight in the sandy floodplains, reveling as they transformed into a summertime beach and a winter wonderland for skating. However, rapid urbanization, particularly the busy Olympic-daero expressway, disconnected this interface from the surrounding neighborhood and resulted in habitat fragmentation.

Snøhetta’s proposal envisions reviving not just the physical link, but also the vibrant spirit that once defined this now dormant threshold. By bringing water inland and woodlands outward, the design seamlessly blends urban life with nature, fostering coexistence among the breathtaking surrounding landscape. The Banpo area will be revitalized, with the waterfront once again integrated into the neighborhood and nature thriving alongside city vibrancy.

Photo: Ramka

Photo: Mir

Maximising potential with ecological vibrancy and cultural playscape

The design consists of two layers – the “ecosystem” and the “playscape” – each contributing to its remarkable essence. At the ecological level, it champions climate resilience by managing flood events and nurturing a self-regulating ecosystem with integrated wetlands and woodlands. By restoring waterways, the landscape acts as a natural filtration sponge where the wetland channel connects Hangang and Sinbanpo. The ecological canvas also fosters biodiversity, with flourishing habitats harmoniously coexisting to benefit all forms of life. Native species are reintroduced, and microclimate sensitivity encompassing temperature, humidity, wind, sound, and solar radiation ensures comfort for all. The natural landscape also serves as an educational element for a further enriched experience.

Microclimate and sustainability

Programs

The playscape, on the other hand, is not only a symbolic expression as the first artificial park of its kind but also a catalyst for cultural enrichment. By encouraging “play,” all generations are brought together in shared moments, fostering an inclusive community for humans, animals, insects, wildlife, and even robots. The playscape provides a versatile platform for diverse programs with a multi-level configuration. It offers a harmonious blend of spatial experiences, including enchanting nature pockets, inviting plazas, an amphitheater, play zones, educational elements, and indoor cultural facilities. Seamlessly adapting to seasonal changes, the design guarantees durability.

Throughout the park, public art installations are thoughtfully placed among a series of cultural facilities and galleries, encouraging interaction with nature and others and inspiring moments of reflection. With every step, visitors embark on a journey of discovery, connecting deeply with Seoul’s and Hangang’s rich cultural heritage.

Photo: Mir

Sculpting the ecological playscape through three interlocking elements

The ecological playscape is crafted through the juxtaposition of three distinctive elements, namely the “natural landform”, “triangular platform”, and the “connective thread”. The natural landform encompasses the lowest level of the design. Spanning above the natural landform and expressway sits the triangular platform that serves as the host for cultural vibrancy. The simple structure folds dynamically in multiple directions to form diverse spaces within the sculptural landmark, while mitigating noise from the traffic below and creating multiple elevated lookouts to maximise the Hangang views. Cultural facilities including exhibition space, a library and cafes are thoughtfully housed within the sculptural structure, allowing indoor programs to seamlessly integrate with the triangular platform. Envisioned as an event space supporting diverse activities year-round, the triangular platform aims to revive the riverside area.

Connectivity

The connective thread serves as the binding element. It links the ecological fabric, playscape, neighbourhoods, and waterfront park. It provides a dynamic pathway for all users offering captivating nodes of interest for diverse and enjoyable experiences.

Envisioned as a harmonious integration of architecture, landscape and community, the Banpo Ecological Playscape aims to restore the vibrancy once found along Hangang’s sandy floodplains. It seeks to create a place where nature and city life thrive together again, where lost physical and spiritual connections are rebuilt, and where ecology and recreation are thoughtfully combined as one.

Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism

In the 4th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (SBAU), upon the analysis of the underlying tributaries of Seoul’s land formation, Snøhetta proposed a city restructuring by restoring waterways and rehabilitating the ecological layer within the urban fabric in the flood prone Gangnam District. Based on research findings, Snøhetta identified the project site is the exit point of the wider Gangnam catchment area. The design proposal of Banpo Ecological Playscape may enable a small part of the stormwater from the catchment to be redirected into the proposed wetland to reduce the pressure on existing drainage systems in Gangnam. Read more here.