Image courtesy of HAEAHN and H Architecture

Olympic Gymnastic Arena by HAEAHN and H Architecture

New York’s H Architecture, in collaboration with South-Korea-based Haeahn Architecture, has won a nation-wide competition, organized by the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, to design the renovation of the 1988 Olympic Gymnastics Arena, which is located within the Olympic Park in Seoul, Korea. The arena will be renovated with the intent to establish a new identity for the building, while preserving its historical significance.

Image courtesy of HAEAHN and H Architecture

The arena not only holds historic significance with its role in the 1988 Olympics but is also “the premiere cultural performance venue of Korea,” with its location inside one of the largest man-made public parks in Korea. The circular gallery surrounding the outer edge of the building has been expanded to accommodate a wider range of retail and event-related programs, and prepare the facility for any future expansion.

Image courtesy of HAEAHN and H Architecture

Much of the renovation is focused on the roof structure, which has been replaced with a dynamic truss system that references the form of a tornado. The renovation is an important opportunity to preserve a cultural landmark and also establish a new typology of hyper-public cultural performance facility which fulfills the needs of its various users and accommodates a vast range of concerts and other cultural events.

more. haeahn.com, h-architecture.com