Seoul National University Museum
OMA

Photo: Chuck Choi

The design for the Seoul National University Museum is driven by the relationship of the campus to the community and serve as a link between them.

This linkage is the defining operation behind the project's morphology. The operation is a slice through the maximum building envelope and establishes a pedestrian connection between the community and the campus.


Photo: Chuck Choi

Photo: Chuck Choi

The hovering mass generated by this slice is modulated by the circulation path and site topography. This mass is a cantilevered structural steel shell bearing on a concrete core.


Photo: Chuck Choi

Photo: Chuck Choi

Circulation through the building is a continuation of the defining slice, internally the path bifurcate and spirals inward. As one enters the building the circulation affords connections to the different programs.


Photo: Chuck Choi

There are four basic program areas: Exhibition, Educational, Library and Operations. The educational spaces, the lecture hall and auditorium, benefit from the slope formed by the slice, and internally accommodate ramped seating.


Photo: Chuck Choi

Photo: Chuck Choi

The library inhabits the center and structural core of the building. Peripheral and central circulation paths create two spiraling loops, which allow program contiguity in the building.

The exhibition space, located at the top, is designed for expansion by allowing its invasion of the educational spaces. This invasion and resultant multi use of the educational spaces for exhibition purposes are articulated by a ramped circulation path and in materiality.

Photo: Chuck Choi

Photo: Chuck Choi

The monolithic volume is strategically punctuated towards specific site views, consequently exposing moments of its structural framework.


Photo: Chuck Choi

Photo: Chuck Choi

The building is further defined by a selection of finishes and materials, which articulate its compositional elements and functional requirements.


Drawing courtesy OMAConcept Diagram

Model photo courtesy OMA

Model photo courtesy OMAProgram

Drawing courtesy OMA

Drawing courtesy OMASection

Drawing courtesy OMAEntrance Level Plan

Drawing courtesy OMALecture Level Plan

Drawing courtesy OMAExhibition Level Plan