[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has selected the final five works out of 83 submissions for the 'Seoul Station Closed Ramp Regeneration Activation Citizen Idea Contest.' The first prize went to 'Pocket Square 2020,' a work that envisioned a multipurpose complex cultural space where people can lie on a net in the courtyard of the closed ramp and look up at the sky.
The closed parking ramp of the old Seoul Station was originally built as a vehicle passage connecting the ground and rooftop parking lots, but since a separate parking passage was secured during the construction of the new station building in 2004, it is currently not in use. This closed ramp features a 20-meter-deep elliptical empty space with variously sized holes in the walls that create a unique atmosphere when illuminated by light, and the upper and lower ramps around the elliptical space form a double helix structure.
On the 28th, the city revealed the five final winning works (one team each for 1st to 5th place) of the Seoul Station Closed Ramp Regeneration Activation Citizen Idea Contest. This contest is part of the 'Seoul Station Publicness Enhancement Project' promoted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in collaboration with the Korea Rail Network Authority and Hanwha Station. Once the closed ramp is regenerated, it will connect to the aerial walkway opening this October through the double helix structure and extend to Seoul-ro 7017.
The first-place winner, 'Pocket Square 2020,' proposed a multipurpose complex cultural space where visitors can walk down along the closed ramp and experience rest areas, pocket terraces, exhibition rooms, and more. In particular, it envisioned installing a net in the empty central space of the closed ramp so that citizens can lie down and gaze at the sky while resting. 'Pocket Square 2020' received praise in the judging comments for "gaining much sympathy by enabling a transparent installation in the central space along with the ramp circulation path as an experiential space, and for its outstanding diverse ideas such as installing other artworks and utilizing balconies."
The second-place work, 'Capturing Light in Space and Layering Culture on It,' proposed using the closed ramp entrances and exits as exhibition spaces and newly installing a plaza in the courtyard to create an open space for various cultural programs such as concert halls and media art. The third-place work, 'Black Day, White Night,' suggested an exhibition space where various artworks can be experienced. The fourth-place work, 'Forest Concert Hall in the City, Saeullim,' proposed creating a forest garden and walking path inside the closed ramp and a forest concert hall where various cultural performances can be enjoyed. The fifth-place work, 'Seoullo Library,' proposed a complex cultural library offering various experiential programs such as cafes, workshops, and exhibition halls, as well as preserving knowledge related to regeneration. Additionally, although not selected, the city reported that innovative ideas such as aquariums, artificial waterfalls, and botanical gardens also attracted attention.
Prize money totaling 15 million KRW and certificates will be awarded to the winners. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held in October, considering the COVID-19 situation.
The city plans to create a temporary exhibition hall in the closed ramp when the aerial walkway connecting Seoul-ro 7017 and the old Seoul Station opens in October, displaying all 83 contest works for public viewing until November. The city will also collect citizens' opinions on how to operate the closed ramp and what programs should be run.
Ryu Hoon, Director of Urban Regeneration at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "Based on the various ideas discovered through this contest, we hope the space will be reborn as a distinctive and attractive complex cultural space connecting Seoul-ro 7017 and Seoul Station in the city center."
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