{"id":1585,"date":"2016-07-14T19:20:59","date_gmt":"2016-07-14T10:20:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/en\/?p=1585"},"modified":"2023-02-25T11:26:20","modified_gmt":"2023-02-25T02:26:20","slug":"meets-eye-ddp-merges-culture-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.samsungcnt.com\/en\/features\/engineering-construction\/2016-07-meets-eye-ddp-merges-culture-construction\/","title":{"rendered":"More than Meets the Eye: How the DDP Merges Culture and Construction"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Forging a new landmark is a lot more challenging than it may seem. In a city such as Seoul, where tall buildings dominate the horizon in all directions, simply building high will not do. New and inventive construction projects spring up every day in the city, so creating novelty is no easy task.<\/p>

Nevertheless, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP for short) has quickly turned into one of Seoul\u2019s most easily recognized sights. Last year,\u00a0National Geographic called it<\/a>\u00a0a \u201ccenterpiece in a city increasingly known for its style,\u201d and upon its launch in 2014,\u00a0CNN instantly dubbed it a \u201clandmark.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Located in the city\u2019s bustling commercial Dongdaemun district, the DDP was built on the site of a former baseball stadium. When it was revealed that renowned architect and Pritzker winner Zaha Hadid would be involved in the development, architecture followers around the world sat up and took note.<\/p>

But more than a mere structural wonder, the DDP has shown the ability to enchant a broad range of visitors. Even though it was unveiled to the public only two years ago, it is already Korea\u2019s most-tagged-on-Instagram site. This year it was also chosen as a Traveler\u2019s Choice Award Winner by Trip Advisor \u2013 proof if it were needed of the building\u2019s global appeal.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Innovative Construction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The DDP\u2019s unique shape and structure causes many visitors to stop in their tracks and ask themselves, \u201cHow was this built?\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hadid wanted to feature distinctive and irregular curves, which presented plenty of challenges for the constructors. Sang Gyu Lee, Project Control Manager at Samsung C&T, told media outlet Chosun Biz, \u201cWe did not really have many resources we could use as a reference since such a structure had never been built before.\u201d<\/p>

To find solutions, Samsung C&T had to think outside the box. The company looked at how shipbuilders, aerospace engineers and automobile makers deal with contoured, irregular-shaped panels and thought about ways to incorporate these into construction.<\/p>

The exterior, made of thousands of differently-shaped aluminum panels, proved particularly tricky to execute. The company also made use of four extra-large steel trusses, or mega trusses, which are usually created to construct structures like bridges. This allowed for a more aesthetically pleasing interior, fitting in neatly with Hadid\u2019s vision for the plaza. Samsung C&T also used space frame techniques to this end \u2013 the same kind of technology in the building of the Eden Project and the Louvre Pyramid.<\/p>

Advanced building techniques like these also allowed Samsung C&T to construct the building with smooth, high curves, and avoid the use of pillars, giving its interior particular allure.<\/p>

It seems only natural then that culture vultures, business owners and fashion professionals have rushed to fill the DDP with some of Seoul\u2019s most creative indoor attractions. The plaza\u2019s three Cs \u2013 culture, commerce and haute couture \u2013 have just as much capacity to amaze as its fa\u00e7ade.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cultural Hotbed<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Time Out<\/a>\u00a0calls the DDP \u201ca cultural playground\u00a0that operates 24 hours,\u201d and it is not hard to see why. There is almost always some sort of exhibition going on at the plaza. Recent events have included the Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival, and the inaugural Chungmuro International Musical Film Festival.<\/p>

Fine art fans are also flocking to the DDP\u2019s Design Museum to check out a display of Korean figure paintings dating back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The showcase runs until August 28 this year.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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