Snøhetta together with local partner Tomoon Architects and Engineers have been selected to design a new city hall in Cheongju, South Korea in an international architecture competition.

Snøhetta and Tomoon Architects and Engineers' design was praised as "excellent work due to its down-to-earth attitude, befitting of the city’s autonomous status. 

As the jury stressed: "The design will both stand out as a new landmark for the city, while at the same time providing well-balanced and generous public space".

Through its open and inclusive design, the Cheongju New City Hall will integrate seamlessly with the urban context and promote ownership for the citizens and visitors of Cheongju.

For design, the architects take cues from "the shape of traditional Korean roofs" and reinterpret them with façade by using "gently folded curves." The new building will provide a platform for effective governmental administration and the Cheongju New City Hall will serve as a symbol of integration and accommodate for collaboration and social interaction.

The building will be located 128 km away from Seoul, Cheongju is the capital and largest city of the North Chungcheong Province in South Korea. 

"The city is currently a hub for accelerating economic growth, with key industries spanning from highly developed eco-agriculture to advanced printing and crafts," said Snøhetta. 

"As Korea’s 14th largest city with over 800 000 inhabitants, it prides itself as Korea’s first municipality to merge several districts into one following a referendum."

"The vision for the Cheongju New City Hall is to create a landmark representing integrated governance, with minimal distance between the government and its citizens," explained Snøhetta. 

As a response to this, the administrative spaces are consolidated under one roof to ensure smooth operation and open communication between departments. 

Following the belief that good governance begins with good working environments, the New City Hall provides grade A working facilities promoting collaboration, innovation, efficiency, and physical and mental wellbeing.

The architects' design for the Cheongju New City Hall seeks to unite the currently scattered governmental offices into one holistic space, paying tribute to the heritage of the past while creating a modern, open space for the future. 

The team uses a combination of translucent and opaque panels that give the structure scale and rhythm. Opaque façade panels are used to ensure enough shading, and some will be operable to allow natural ventilation. 

By integrating photovoltaics (BIPV) on the roof, they will provide a source of electrical power from solar energy. The translucent panels are glass laminated with copper mesh, allowing natural light to enter the building, providing both views and privacy. 

The sloped roof has integrated drainage to allow water run-off and stormwater collection. 

"The new building forms an open frame around the former city hall building, which will now serve as the entrance portal to the new development," continued Snøhetta.  

"Through strategic spatial planning, ample public spaces and amenities are designed to be accessible for all, with flexibility to allow for the vibrant city to gather for daily activities and during special occasions." 

By creating space for collective living and learning, the public has access to cultural spaces, such as exhibition areas, a library, an auditorium, and amenities such as restaurants, cafes, childcare facilities and a post office.

The Cheongju New City Hall is scheduled for completion in 2025.

All images © Snøhetta and Plomp

All drawings © Snøhetta

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