A key design challenge in the Pyeongtaek Administrative Complex was preserving the 12-meter pedestrian path that cuts through the site. Instead of treating it as a constraint, the design elevated it to a central organizing element. City Hall and the City Council buildings were placed on opposite sides of the path, and a sunken circular courtyard was created beneath it, turning the path into a viewing bridge—an elevated space for movement, pause, and contemplation. The project uses architecture as a lens for reinterpreting urban life. The path becomes more than circulation—it serves as a spatial threshold between civic programs and the broader city.
The complex invites the city inward. Narrow corridors and alley-like passages extend the urban pedestrian flow into interior spaces, softening the boundary between inside and outside. This spatial porosity improves microclimate conditions and enables a clear, adaptable organization of functions.
Building placement responds to the urban context: City Hall lies in the north, close to public transit; the City Council in the southeast with separate access; and a daycare beside the city park. Altogether, the complex fosters a civic landscape—open, permeable, and integrated with the rhythms and needs of the surrounding environment.
The landscape design of the Pyeongtaek Administrative Complex establishes a connection between ecological concerns and infrastructural strategies. This integration has produced a resilient and vibrant ground plane that improves the microclimate and enhances spatial quality. By incorporating pedestrian pathways, bicycle stations, and parking areas for electric vehicles and individuals with limited mobility, the design addresses both social and environmental dimensions of sustainability.
The project connects with its natural surroundings through urban stormwater management and the use of native woodland and wetland vegetation. Light and greenery penetrate the underground levels through the central courtyard, enhancing the atmosphere of spaces that are often neglected in conventional designs.
This project is not merely a collection of buildings—it is an effort to create an urban environment that breathes, flows, and belongs to the people.
2024
The project includes a total of 1,204 parking spaces, with 503 located in the basement and 701 on the ground floor. This strategic distribution allows for convenient access to both levels, accommodating a large volume of vehicles while optimizing space utilization within the site. The basement parking offers secure and weather-protected spaces, while the ground-floor parking provides easier access to surrounding amenities and facilities.
An expandable office furniture module was designed based on competition specifications. It can be adjusted to meet employee needs, with sections added or removed as needed, providing flexibility to accommodate changing work requirements and enhancing functionality and comfort. This adaptable design supports a dynamic and efficient workspace.
The access points include elevators, stair box, emergency exits from the parking, and pedestrian pathways. These elements are strategically placed to ensure smooth and safe movement throughout the building, catering to both vehicular and pedestrian circulation needs. The emergency exits provide secure routes in case of urgent situations, while the pedestrian pathways offer easy and direct access to various areas of the complex.
Principal Architect: Mohamad Rahimizadeh
Architect: Mehrdad Akhlaghi
Presentation: Ziba Baghban, Pardis Ahmadi, Hanane Movahedi, Fatemeh Rezaei
R&D: Pegah Samei
Detail Design: Parnian Hasanpour, Sara Chizari
