Creating an interconnected sequence of indoor and outdoor public spaces that are enveloped by nature, ZHA’s proposal for the 2nd Sejong Cultural Centre is defined by the city’s history and its unwavering optimism for the future.

Connecting Yeouido Park to the Han River, the 2nd Sejong Cultural Centre is embedded within the natural landscapes of the park. Providing its local community with new public plazas, gardens, wildflower meadows and woodland glades, the park’s organic terraces and reflecting ponds echo the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature encompassed within traditional Korean garden design.

Gently rising to the horizon where the roof garden gives panoramic views across Seoul and its historic river, the natural environments of Yeouido Park envelop a series of interior spaces that flow through the centre to the banks of the Han River; defining a vibrant new gathering place and cultural hub for the city. Glazed rehearsal rooms ‘float’ within the centre’s large exhibition hall enabling members of the public to watch talented artists practice their skills throughout each day. The centre’s two performing arts theatres are located either side of this exhibition hall and designed to host the widest variety of performances by local, national and international artists.

An extraordinary 150-metre-long indoor public sky-deck crowns the cultural centre; giving sweeping views over the river and leading to the community area, educational centre, restaurant and lounge that all enjoy the sky-deck’s magnificent views of the city. At ground level, a seamless connection continues from Yeouido Park through the central exhibition gallery to the sculpture garden and beyond to the new riverside amphitheatre for outdoor performances and concerts on the waterfront.