Tadao Ando: "LG Art Center Seoul, Density Beyond Imagination... A Space Going Global"

Visited on the 30th, first inspection in 7 years
A space that will lead to a new world

"It was completed as a much denser architectural structure than I had imagined."

Tadao Ando (82), a world-renowned Japanese architect, visited Korea last month on the 30th and toured the LG Art Center Seoul, which he designed.

Architect Tadao Ando [Photo by LG Art Center]

According to LG Art Center, he personally toured the LG Art Center Seoul and said, "I hope this place becomes a venue where artists from around the world come, new performances unfold, and those who watch are inspired," adding, "It will be a space that allows people to move into a new world."

Ando's visit was his first in seven years since his inspection of the Magok district in 2016, and his first visit since the completion of LG Art Center Seoul.

Through LG Art Center Seoul, he implemented three architectural elements: 'Tube,' 'Step Atrium,' and 'Gate Arc.'

The 'Tube' is an elliptical corridor measuring 80 meters in length and 10 meters in height, connecting Seoul Botanic Park, LG Science Park, and LG Art Center. The 'Gate Arc' is a massive curved wall that visitors encounter in the lobby, serving as a symbolic gateway inviting audiences to each performance hall. The 'Step Atrium' is a gigantic staircase 100 meters long, connecting Magoknaru Subway Station (B2) to the third floor of the seating area.

Ando said, "Through this elliptical space, it will connect to LG Science Park, Seoul Botanic Park, and the cultural center," expressing satisfaction by adding, "Such a performance hall is rare worldwide. There is no other performance hall created and donated by a corporation like this, connected to nature."

He also expressed his hope, saying, "Over time, the trees in this botanical garden will grow, and the people who have creative experiences here will also grow," and "I hope they grow up, go out into the world, and accomplish great things."

Architect Tadao Ando [Photo by LG Art Center]

Tadao Ando, who won the Pritzker Prize, often called the Nobel Prize of architecture, has presented buildings that express a simple, minimalist, yet strong presence using glass and exposed concrete. He has designed world-renowned buildings such as Japan's 'Church of Light' and 'Church on the Water,' Italy's 'Fabbrica,' France's 'UNESCO Meditation Space,' and the United States' 'Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth' and 'Pulitzer Arts Foundation.' In Korea, his works include 'Museum SAN' in Wonju, and 'Bontae Museum' and 'Yumin Art Museum' in Jeju.

LG Art Center Seoul is a public contribution facility created by LG while developing LG Science Park, an R&D complex in the Magok district. At the time of the project, various design proposals were reviewed to build a world-class complex cultural space, and the late LG Chairman Koo Bon-moo personally selected Tadao Ando as the architect for LG Art Center Seoul, according to LG Art Center.

Based on Ando's design, LG Art Center Seoul was completed after 4 years and 6 months of construction with a budget of 255.6 billion KRW. It was built on approximately 9,917 square meters (about 3,000 pyeong) of land, with three basement floors and four above-ground floors.

Since its opening, LG Art Center Seoul has welcomed 150,000 visitors over six months, establishing itself as a representative cultural and artistic space in Seoul. The opening festival, which included the London Symphony Orchestra led by maestro Simon Rattle and pianist Seong-Jin Cho, featured over 20 performances and achieved an 82% ticket sales rate, surpassing the average ticket sales rate of 78% during its previous Yeoksam era. This year, it continues to present a variety of performances including the Paris Opera Ballet's 'Giselle,' returning to Korea after 30 years, as well as plays, dance, and musicals.

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