Zaha Hadid designed this public space in Seoul, South Korea known as Dongdaemun Design Plaza or ‘DDP’. It’s used as a design centre, exhibition space, and a shopping centre.
Zaha Hadid is a prolific architect with a unique style and some would say a certain ‘branding’ to her work. She uses a technique whereby she gathers data from the area in which she is designing and uses the parametric data to construct a graph which then forms the structure that is built.
My initial impression of the DDP structure is the fluidity of the form. It’s comprised of a facade of steel panels seamlessly merged.
The shape is somewhat alien-like and has been given the nickname of the ‘slug’ by the locals.
It is an imposing form and as you enter you are immediately drawn to the landscape architecture of the entrance which is cut below the natural ground level.
But despite the interesting shapes in the landscape the wow factor is lost by the thousand of fake white flowers the cover the grass areas (pretty tacky!).
There are some beautiful birch trees nevertheless and the grassed roof of the structure gives the appearance of the building rising up from the ground.
The DDP structure is overwhelmingly large and thankfully its curves soften what could be a bulky structure.
The highlights of the building are the curved walkways which lead to pockets of light and the cutouts that appear in the giant form. The concrete bridge is colossal but contrasts well with the steel.
Without the light and the green on this gloomy Seoul day I would be slightly underwhelmed with the fact that I do not feel that the structure considers its place, culture or time. It is like it has just been plonked there.
Sure, it is impressive in its size and structure, but I do not feel a connection or an emotional response to a city drenched in such history. It could have been designed in a way that highlighted the struggle and the triumph of the South Korean people by considering culture, time and place.
Pave & Pave Creative 