AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010:
EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT
L’Université féminine EWHA de Séoul, Corée Architecte : Dominique Perrault Architecture, 2008
Photographe : Han Sungpil - Agence VU' / Abvent
Every 2 years, during the Venice Architecture Biennale, the AFEX Grand Prix rewards
an outstanding project undertaken by a French architect outside France. This year the
Prix will be presented by :
PHILIPPE BELAVAL
Director General Heritage, French Ministry of Culture and
Communication
at 7pm on 27 August 2010 at Palazzo Zorzi, the Venetian offices of UNESCO.
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 1
EWHA Woman’s University in Seoul, Korea, 2008
DOMINIQUE PERRAULT ARCHITECTURE
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Photo © Andre Morin
The complexity of the site, through its relationship to the greater campus and the city of
Shinchon, demanded a “larger than site” response, an urban response, a global landscaped
solution, weaving together the tissue of the EWHA campus with that of the city.
A new seam slices through the topography revealing the interior of the EWHA campus
center. A void is formed, a campus “valley” where nature, sport grounds, event locations and
educational buildings mix, intermingle and follow one another.
Photo © Andre Morin
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 2
Photo © Andre Morin
The gently descending “valley” leads to a monumental stairway through the campus center,
bringing together the different levels of the buildings.
Photo © Andre Morin
Photo © Andre Morin
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 3
Photo © Andre Morin
Photo © Andre Morin
Photo © Andre Morin
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 4
The two large glass curtain walls facing the external circulation ramp serve as elements for
daylight and allow for natural ventilation of parts of the building as well.
Photo © Andre Morin
Photo © Andre Morin
Photo © Andre Morin
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 5
Photo © Andre Morin
Photo © Andre Morin
Photo © Andre Morin
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 6
The pastoral nature of the campus, with trees, flowers, and grass covering the campus
center, is perhaps its most remarkable quality. The notion of weaving together the campus is
again evident, blurring the distinction between old and new, building and landscape, present
and past.
Photo © Andre Morin
Perrault believes that “concept and matter have to grapple one another.” His designs are
often buried, excavated, or nestled places - like the French National Library in Paris and the
Velodrome and Olympic swimming pool in Berlin. The idea of this underground university
was born out of the desire to preserve a large green space in the center of the university
campus.
The link between the architectural concept and the sustainable strategies adopted underground building, green garden, landscape fracture - gives a strong identity to the
building and enable extraordinary performances in terms of sustainability.
“A forum for the exchange of ideas as students gather after class to discuss their views, a
piazza, with the cafeteria spilling out, creating a real “place” to stop and relax,
an outdoor theater, as the stair can be used as an amphitheater, a sculpture garden, where
indoor gallery events can push outwards. It is this flexibility (conceptual and real) which
permits the new EWHA campus center to inevitably weave itself into the landscape sometimes a building, sometimes a landscape, sometimes a sculpture.”
Dominique Perrault
Sketch © Dominique Perrault Architecture
Sketch
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 7
Drawing © Dominique Perrault Architecture
Site Plan
Drawing © Dominique Perrault Architecture
Plan Level One
Drawing © Dominique Perrault Architecture
Plan level two
Drawing © Dominique Perrault Architecture
Plan level Three
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 8
Drawing © Dominique Perrault Architecture
Plan level Four
Drawing © Dominique Perrault Architecture
Longitudinal Section
Drawing © Dominique Perrault Architecture
Cross Section
Rendering © Dominique Perrault Architecture
View from the garden
Rendering © Dominique Perrault Architecture
Night View
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 9
Site area 50,000 square meters
Built area 70,000 square meters
Landscaping 31,000 square meters
Completed· 2009
Ewha Woman’s University
Client: Ewha Campus Center Project T/F
Architect: Dominique
Perrault Architecture
Partners: Baum Architects, Seoul
Architectural engineering: Perrault Projets
Structural engineers: VP&Green Ingenerie
Building services: HL-PP Consult
Acoustics: Jean-Paul Lamoureux
Consultants:
Structural engineer: Jeon and Lee Partners
Mechanical engineer: HIMEC
Civil engineer: CG E&C
Landscape: CnK Associates
AFEX French World Architecture Grand Prix 2010: EWHA Women’s University in Seoul
by Dominique PERRAULT– 10