International competition for the development plan of the old HANGLAS site – First place

Shirin Haddadian is co-founder of Vaal Architecture Studio and team representative for the team that won a competition with the Korean Institute of Architecture to propose development for the old HANGLAS site. Shirin is a graduate of the University of Sheffield's School of Architecture, having studied the MA Architectural Design.

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"Initiated by the Busan Urban Planning Committee and organised by the Korean Institute of Architects (KIA), the objective of this competition was to develop innovative, contemporary and creative ideas to modify the land use of the site from a former manufacturing area to a quasi-residential and general commercial site in order to create a tourism-focused cultural complex. The 35 acres site of the project is expected to function as an axis of marine cultural tourism in the eastern Busan region attracting tourists from all over the nation as well as Busan citizens."

The text above is partially taken from the competition design guideline.

With the booming economy of South Korea, Korean cities are experiencing rapid urbanisation. Satellite Images from different time periods in Busan demonstrate rapid urban developments and transformation of rural houses to high-rise complexes.

In the process of urban regeneration, perhaps the most important thing to consider is the needs of the social capital on which undoubtedly a large part of Korea's progress and evolution is based on, yet, due to its nature and structure, rapid developments undermine the provision of spatial needs required for the social wellbeing. In order to contribute to the development of the city, the society needs spaces for communication, interaction, discussion and experimentation.

The aim of this proposal is to allocate maximum land to open spaces and public layers where social interactions can freely take place. Taking into consideration that the new development is replacing a rural context, the design tries to respect the former context through occupying less land and proposing spaces and programs which will benefit the local communities.

As the most dense and tallest buildings of the development plan of the old HANGLAS site, the residential towers are located on the northern part of the site, leaving the lands closer to the ocean to remain part of the city and natural landscape. Yet, the towers' diagonal arrangement provides best light and views.

Each tower has the view to the ocean in front and forest at the back without blocking any other towers. The façade of the towers is made transparent maximising the connection between the users and the city. In the lower levels, the building coverage is minimised in order to free up land and provide space for the city.

The new hotel building is located on the chimney of the former glass factory acting as a landmark for the site and a collective memory for Busan residents. The southern part of the site and areas close to the ocean are planned for marine culture and tourism facilities. Low-rise buildings, light and organic forms and semi-open spaces create a zone where no specific border exists between outdoor and indoor spaces.

These spatial characteristics along with a circulation network (including Galmaetgil trail) smoothly connect this zone to the city and the residential area in the site without any visual obstacles or access barriers.

Between the residential zone and marine culture and tourism facilities is located the farmers' market and community amenities. This zone provides space for local communities to use land for producing and selling organic or local products. In addition, the farmer's market connects the two main vertical axes on site stretching from main city roads to ocean piers.