Rigaon and DIA Engineering Architects' Joint Design Selected
Transforming Yeongsangang into a Landmark Where History, Culture, and Leisure Coexist
Featuring Artificial Surfing Pool and Water Play Facilities... Scheduled to Open in 2027
The Y Project "Yeongsangang Exciting Zone," a key pledge of the 8th popularly elected administration, will be reborn as a central space along the Yeongsangang River where everyday culture, history, and leisure coexist.
The city of Gwangju announced on the 6th that it has selected "Glowing Boundary," a collaborative entry by Rigaon Architects Co., Ltd. and DIA Engineering Architects Co., Ltd., as the winning design in the international competition for the Y Project "Yeongsangang Exciting Zone."
The winning design received high praise for its reinterpretation of the urban boundary created by the Yeongsangang River and Bitgoeul-daero, planning the area as a central space where everyday culture, history, and leisure coexist. In particular, the open main entrance facing the Yeongsangang River naturally and three-dimensionally connects to the building, offering high usability and a spatial plan that enables various experiences for visitors.
The city plans to sign a design contract with the winners, complete the basic and detailed designs, begin construction in 2026, and open the facility in the first half of 2027.
The core of the "Yeongsangang Exciting Zone" is to transform the Yeongsangang River into a fun destination by creating an Exciting Fun Line around Sandonggyo in Dongnim-dong, Buk-gu. The historical and cultural values of Gwangju, which has grown from the ancient Mahan civilization to the Asian Culture Centered City, will be reinterpreted in a modern way, and the "Asia Water History Theme Experience Center," utilizing water and digital art, will be established on a 4,000-square-meter site.
Additionally, a natural-style water play experience facility will be created, combining an artificial surfing pool, water play, and relaxation, to lead urban leisure culture. The indoor artificial surfing pool will cover 1,000 square meters, the natural water play area 10,000 square meters, and the lawn yard 11,800 square meters.
Lee Seungkyu, Director of the New Vitality Promotion Headquarters, said, "The Y Project Yeongsangang Exciting Zone will become a new landmark in Gwangju and a core hub for tourism and leisure," adding, "We expect a new axis of urban development to form around the Yeongsangang River."
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