[Let's Run Again K Construction] POSCO Construction Leads Eco-Friendly Apartments

Interior view of the Plantrium horticultural space (Photo by POSCO E&C)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] POSCO Engineering & Construction is emerging as a leader in eco-friendly construction. The company is determined to realize an eco-friendly future vision by introducing nature-friendly designs in various areas such as terraces within apartment complexes, community facilities, and parking lots.

POSCO Group has adopted the vision slogan "Green Tomorrow, With POSCO," which reflects its commitment to environmental protection and an eco-friendly future vision. Under this slogan, POSCO Engineering & Construction has also embraced the construction philosophy of "eco-friendly apartments that protect the earth's tomorrow." This means actively incorporating ESG concepts into apartment construction and focusing its capabilities on securing a healthy life for people.

In fact, POSCO Engineering & Construction has established itself as a leader in eco-friendly construction through various initiatives. Representative examples include the biophilic terrace new floor plan, the garden-like underground parking lot called the "Biophilic Parking Lot," eco-friendly designs for apartment community facilities known as "Club The Sharp," and the in-complex botanical garden caf? "Plantrium." Based on these efforts, POSCO Engineering & Construction ranked first for the 13th time in the "2022 Korea Quality Satisfaction Index (KS-QEI) Apartment Division," organized by the Korea Standards Association. It has also won first place in the "Brand Customer Loyalty Index" for six consecutive years, already recognized for the highest construction quality.

Introducing Gardens Indoors with the ‘Biophilic Terrace’

The "Biophilic Terrace" is a representative specialized space within the eco-friendly medium-to-large floor plan developed by POSCO Engineering & Construction called the "Biophilic Terrace New Floor Plan." While balconies were traditionally located at the edges in existing floor plans, the new design actively incorporates nature-friendly elements to allow direct sunlight exposure. It is also directly connected to the living room or kitchen to enhance its function as a garden.

By decorating this space with trees or potted plants, residents can create a garden inside the apartment with natural lighting. Another advantage is that the garden view is visible at a glance from the living room or kitchen. Depending on lifestyle, the space can be expanded and used as an indoor area or styled as various outdoor spaces such as for home training or outdoor camping.

‘Biophilic Parking Lot’ View (Photo by POSCO Construction)

Garden-like Underground Parking Lot, the ‘Biophilic Parking Lot’

POSCO Engineering & Construction has developed the "Biophilic Parking Lot," transforming the conventional perception of underground apartment parking lots. Under the slogan "Green Life with The Sharp," it has created new value and culture through eco-friendly design.

First, the first basement level brings in sunlight and wind and plants real trees and herbaceous plants. On the second basement level and below, depending on the amount of sunlight, semi-shade plants, shade plants, and landscaping stones are harmoniously arranged to create a garden close to a natural environment. The selection of trees and herbaceous plants suitable for the "Biophilic Parking Lot," garden creation, and construction management know-how are transferred through a recent joint development agreement with the National Arboretum for an eco-friendly residential landscaping model.

Additionally, it is equipped with "electric vehicle (EV) metered outlets" so that charging can be done directly at each parking spot without a separate dedicated space. In the future, an intelligent video surveillance system will be applied to detect flames for fire prevention and monitor loitering, providing a safe and convenient parking environment. The smart parking lot will also be developed into an autonomous parking system as related laws and systems improve.

Enhancing Nature Accessibility with the Botanical Garden Caf? ‘Plantrium’

POSCO Engineering & Construction also developed "Plantrium," a botanical garden caf? where residents can enjoy complex relaxation while viewing gardens. "Plantrium" is a compound word combining "Plant," meaning plant, and the suffix "~arium," meaning space, signifying a resting space in harmony with nature. While existing landscaping spaces were mainly located on the outskirts, "Plantrium" is installed as a large greenhouse-type structure at the center of the complex to improve residents' accessibility and usage.

A notable feature is that vegetables can be directly harvested from the underground LED plant farm accessible directly from the parking lot to make salads and other dishes. Additionally, the media wall under Plantrium and the outdoor deck space connect to the first floor, allowing residents to enjoy various seasonal walks. On the upper floor, there is a caf? where visitors can drink tea among trees and flowers, as well as a plant hotel and hospital where residents can leave their companion plants during travel or business trips.

The exterior design is planned as a triangular steel frame structure wrapped in glass to efficiently utilize sunlight and wind. Inside the building, height differences and ventilation windows on the upper and lower facades create airflow necessary for plant growth, reducing thermal load.

'Club The Sharp' Eco-friendly Design Wave Type Bird's-eye View (Photo by POSCO E&C)

Developing Eco-Friendly Community Facilities ‘Club The Sharp’

The apartment community facility "Club The Sharp" has also incorporated "Green Life" to develop a design that brings residents closer to nature. Community facilities refer to spaces used jointly by residents or facilities that support residents' daily lives. Besides legally mandated facilities such as senior centers and children's playgrounds, it includes convenience facilities like exercise rooms and reading rooms for residents.

While existing community facilities were divided within simple box-shaped buildings according to area, the eco-friendly design of "Club The Sharp" features undulating ground surfaces. Utilizing the characteristics of the space, the building's sloped surfaces are designed as a stepped book caf?, which is unprecedented in apartment complexes, providing residents with a three-dimensional space. The outdoor step garden formed along the slope harmonizes stone, wood, and landscaping. The walking path connected to the ground landscaping space links to the rooftop garden on the roof floor, where residents can relax.

Additionally, the lower part of the slope is composed of children's play decks, organically connecting indoors and outdoors to allow outdoor activities even when it rains. The underground sunken area is linked to exercise facilities, enabling putting greens, rock climbing, and resting.