As metropolitan cities expand and explore new ways to provide comfort (and some discomfort by default), the characteristics of private and public spaces consequently change—though the cons of modern urbanity: overpopulation, traffic congestion and pollution stay pretty much consistent. Tailoring the "Towers in the Park" concept, an urban spatial infrastructure adopted in many Asian metropolitan cities, Korean architecture firm Mass Studies’ Seoul Commune 2026 proposal investigates and envisions an intriguing concept for an alternative community that satisfies the necessities for urban living whilst guaranteeing a sustainable aesthetic.Imagined in Seoul's Apgujeong-dong area, Seoul Commune 2026 covers 393,400 square meters and consists of 15 towers of varying heights, anywhere from 16 to 53 floors. A canal borders the circumference of the entire site, turning the Commune into an isolated park that also utilizes the nearby Han River as a natural cooling system. Within each tower, six variations of private rooms or cells exist amongst scattered communal spaces.The top floor of each tower beholds one of three designs: the dome, the inverted dome or the inverted cone, serving various public service and commercial uses. By mixing these public and private areas, the Commune works as one seamless whole of social interactivity.
To maintain the flow of residents and passersby, the ground floors of each tower are designated for pedestrian, vehicular and public transportation—elevators offer vertical access throughout.What's more, Mass Studies’ design maximizes natural resources, keeping in mind the very relevant concern for environmental preservation. The honeycomb structure of each private cell takes in loads of natural light, as photovoltaic glass panels preserve solar energy. At the same time, the integrated water distribution system cools and cleans the glass windows while watering the exterior foliage décor simultaneously.Intertwining the present needs of metropolitan living with the foreshadowed obstacles to come, Mass Studies conceptualizes an incredibly smart and acute execution of architectural design. In a few years, maybe a spin on Seoul Commune 2026 will come to a neighborhood near you.
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