[2022 Asia Construction Awards] SH Corporation's 'Godeok Gangil 13 Complex', Human-Friendly Living Street Design

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award - Apartment Construction Sector

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (hereinafter SH Corporation) received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award in the apartment category at this year’s Asia Construction Comprehensive Awards for ‘Godeok Gangil District Complex 13’.

Located in Sangil-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, ‘Godeok Gangil District Complex 13’ is an apartment complex consisting of a total of 675 households, including 336 national rental units and 339 long-term lease housing units. It consists of 2 basement floors and 6 to 23 floors above ground, with construction starting in May 2019 and completion in January of this year.

When planning the construction of ‘Godeok Gangil Complex 13,’ SH Corporation aimed to create a vibrant street-centered village. Various community facilities were placed along the central living street that connects the inside and outside of the complex to integrate with the city. For example, auxiliary welfare facilities and neighborhood living facilities were arranged in connection with the public pedestrian network, and a human-friendly living street layout was designed to create a safe and lively walking environment.

The complex’s landscape was harmoniously designed by mixing vertical and horizontal elements. Vertically elongated landmark-type apartments and horizontally extended slab-type apartments were appropriately combined to introduce a balance of tension and comfort. The mid-levels of the landmark-type buildings feature neutral-colored vertical patterns, while the slab-type buildings use horizontal patterns, achieving harmony even on the building exteriors.

'Godeok Gangil District 13 Complex' panorama/Photo by Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation

The outdoor spaces were designed with themes to convey various stories. Through diverse planting arrangements, three paths were created: the Path of Slowness, the Path of Vitality, and the Path of Connection. Additionally, five types of courtyards with rest areas and exercise facilities were developed. Forests for communication (composed of Styrax japonicus), contemplation (cherry blossom trees), and courtyard forests (Zelkova trees) provide residents with a pleasant environment.

The complex is located approximately 15 km from downtown Seoul, about 10 km from the Yeongdong sub-center (Gangnam), and about 3 km from the Jamsil area center. It is adjacent to the Seoul Ring Expressway and the Seoul-Chuncheon Expressway, accessible via Gangil IC and Sangil IC, and served by two subway lines: Line 5 and Line 8.

The diverse development plan for ‘Godeok Gangil Complex 13’ is also linked to the basic direction of the Godeok Gangil residential district where the complex is located. SH Corporation has set the basic direction of the Godeok Gangil residential district as a ‘Community of Differences,’ aiming to create an urban village that respects individual differences while pursuing commonality within individuality.

A distinctive feature of the Godeok Gangil residential district is the design of various network methods to enable people to gather and form communities. Emphasis was placed on connecting urban public pedestrian paths with internal pedestrian paths through a public pedestrian network, thereby encouraging natural pedestrian flow and activities.

There is also a library network. A central library, which can serve as a regional hub, is installed and integrated with schools and kindergartens to facilitate natural engagement with reading. Small libraries are installed within the auxiliary welfare facilities of each residential complex. These hierarchical libraries are networked to serve as spaces for citizens’ cultural enjoyment and lifelong education.

In addition, there are bicycle networks linked to surrounding plans, including internal and external bicycle roads and public transportation use, as well as community garden networks where citizens can share and use communal spaces together.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.