Hill on the River

Program: Pedestrian Bridge
Location: Han-River, Seoul, Korea
Client: Seoul Metropolitan Government
Year: 2019
Status: Competition(Merit Award)

Can you imagine a hill on the Han-river?

31 bridges are built on the river after urbanization, unfortunately, those are mainly dedicated to vehicles and trains, and no pedestrian friendly bridge has been built yet. We propose a pedestrian bridge with landscape on the river which will contribute to strengthening physical, social, and cultural connectivity of the city. From this imaginary project, we will investigate how Han-river and the Seoul city coexist better in the future.  

A "hill on the river," is a pedestrian bridge built on an existing Grand Hangang bridge dedicated to provide pedestrian accessibility to the recently opened Nodeul Music/ Culture base and the northern and southern part of the city. It has the shape of a hill like a cloud by using a light space frame structure that can utilize the existing structure of the Hangang grand bridge most efficiently, which provides an experience of viewing the Han River from various elevations. The systemized landscaping plant box and additional structures are designed to fit the modules of the main space frame structure, providing flexibility to arrange various plantings and necessary spaces in various layouts. Bosques are placed on both sides of the hill road are the primary shields against the bitter wind, heat and cold of the Han River, and provide the connection between Nodeul Island and the greenery of the river side of Han River. The shelter and canopy are located in the middle of the hill which provide an indoor seating area, and various types of benches with a view of the Han River from different heights, as well as lawns, urban farms, outdoor exhibition halls, and outdoor theaters linked to the Nodeul Complex.  

"Hill on the River" is an infrastructure that connects city, people, and nature.