American Society of Landscape Architects

  2004 ASLA Professional Awards


Design Award of Merit

Seonyudo Park, Seoul, South Korea
SeoAhn Total Landscape, Seoul, South Korea
Client: Seoul Metropolitan Government

Beautiful landscape on rebuilt land. . . Fantastic use of remnants of the former brownfield site.
           2004 Professional Awards Jury Comments

The main design concept for this project was to reveal the geographical and spatial potential of Seonyudo, which is situated in the midst of the city of Seoul. At the same time, the landscape architect focused on fully evoking memories of Seonyudo history. The Seonyudo water purification plant was highlighted by utilizing the peculiar shapes of space and land created by organically composed facilities. Another goal of the project was to convey messages on the importance of the environment and nature to the future.

 
Seonyudo Park features four gardens, a visitor's center, a pavilion and a cafeteria retrofitted from the old water purification plant. (Drawing: SeoAhn Total Lanscape)

The island was occupied with typical water purification plants, such as a water-purification basin, clean water reservoir, concentrator and regulator, management facility, and the settling basin for chemicals. (Photo: SeoAhn Total Lanscape)

The underground facilities revealed from demolition provide an important design motif. (Photo: Kim, Jae Kyung)

The design challenge was how to display and express the historical meanings of Seonyudo through the depth of the spaces and forms created by the water purification plant and other facilities. (Photo: Kim, Jae Kyung).

The settling basin for chemicals has become a garden for aquatic plants, which purifies water in nature. The life pattern and water purification process of various aquatic plants are carefully demonstrated. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)

Renovated from the filtration plant, this garden holds various aquatic plants in its shallow basin, enabling close observation from the boardwalk. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)

The top concrete slab of the clean water reservoir has been lifted off, leaving columns in full light and providing rest places. Vines cover the columns, composing a space of repose. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)

The most intact existing structure of the purification plant is found in the Garden of Transition. The settling basin for chemicals now holds various environments for plant growth, such as an aroma garden, a moss garden, and a fern garden. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)

The concrete waterways were kept and now connect the water purification basin, the Aquatic Botanical Garden and the Garden of Transition. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)

The elevated path salvaged from the underground waterway structures provides views looking down the gardens and easy connection to the other side of the garden. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)

Directly connected to the water purification basin, this water play area provide kids not only place for fun, but also a chance to experience the purifying effect of the plant. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)
Recycled from the concentrator and the regulator, this circular space has been constructed as the environmental play area. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)
One of the four concentrator structures turned into a small amphitheatre. (Photo: Lee, Gee Whan)

Along the trail, the ruins of the rusted valves are sculptural pieces telling the history of the island. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)
Stands of Poplars have been planted to indicate the footprint of the demolished buildings. (Photo: Yang, Hae Nam)

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