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Korean Cultural Center

New York, NY, USA
Architect
SAMOO Architects

The Korea Center is a non-profit organization established in 2011, and provides people with an opportunity to learn the Korean language and experience Korean culture. This international competition-winning design for the Korean Cultural Center in will be striving for LEED certification, making it a shining example of sustainable building for the area as well.

Located on East 32nd Street in Midtown, the eight-story Korea Center houses administration offices, exhibit spaces, gardens, artist studios, a library, a cafe and a theater for events, lectures and performances. The street facing facade is completely glass, which allows passersby to see into the center and be enticed inward by the street level exhibitions on Korean culture, including music, movies, food, technology and TV dramas.

SAMOO‘s winning design embodies the modern Korean sensibility of innovation in harmony with tradition. Inside, the center is dominated by three sculptural figures made from different materials – ceramic to represent Heaven, terracotta to represent Earth and milled wood to represent Humanity. Along with staying true to Korean sensibilities, the glass facade will allow ample daylighting into the interior reducing the need for artificial light.

Otero Fuentes
Otero Fuentes
Otero Fuentes
Otero Fuentes
Otero Fuentes

The Korea Center is a non-profit organization established in 2011, and provides people with an opportunity to learn the Korean language and experience Korean culture. This international competition-winning design for the Korean Cultural Center in will be striving for LEED certification, making it a shining example of sustainable building for the area as well.

Located on East 32nd Street in Midtown, the eight-story Korea Center houses administration offices, exhibit spaces, gardens, artist studios, a library, a cafe and a theater for events, lectures and performances. The street facing facade is completely glass, which allows passersby to see into the center and be enticed inward by the street level exhibitions on Korean culture, including music, movies, food, technology and TV dramas.

SAMOO‘s winning design embodies the modern Korean sensibility of innovation in harmony with tradition. Inside, the center is dominated by three sculptural figures made from different materials – ceramic to represent Heaven, terracotta to represent Earth and milled wood to represent Humanity. Along with staying true to Korean sensibilities, the glass facade will allow ample daylighting into the interior reducing the need for artificial light.

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