[ Soma ] One Ocean_Thematic Pavilion for the 2012 Yeosu Expo

Austrian architects soma have recently won the first prize in the international competition for the Thematic Pavilion for the 2012 Expo in Yeosu, South Korea.

The Thematic Pavilion will be one of the major facilities of the Yeosu Expo. Its exhibitions will give the visitors overview and introduction to the Expo’s theme, “The Living Ocean and Coast”. The aim of soma’s design titled “One Ocean” is to create an iconic landmark that embodies the theme of the Expo in multiple ways and is integrated into its urban context and the surrounding nature.

Thematic Pavilion for the 2012 Yeosu Expo by soma

Here is how the architects explain their concept:

Our experience of the Ocean as an endless surface and - in an immersed position - as depth inspires the main concept for the Thematic Pavilion. Continuous surfaces twist from vertical to horizontal orientation and create two exhibition spaces with contrasting spatial qualities.

The striking vertical height of the exhibition cones let the visitors immerse into a sensuous experience while in the unfolded state they produce a flexible daylight space for the Best Practice Area. 

Continuous transitions between contrasting experiences also form the outer appearance of the Pavilion. Towards the sea the conglomeration of solid vertical cones defines a new meandering coast line, a soft edge that is in constant negotiation between water and land. Opposite side the pavilion develops out of the ground into an artificial roof–landscape with gardens and scenic paths. The topographic lines of the roof turn into lamellas of the kinetic media façade that faces the Expo’s entrance and the “Digital Gallery”.

MAIN DESIGN CONCEPT
The Ocean appears to us as an endless surface, whose depth we can explore with technical devices. The vertical and the horizontal experience of the ocean inspire the main concept for the Thematic Pavilion – continuous surfaces that twist from vertical to horizontal orientation and create two exhibition spaces with contrasting spatial qualities. The exhibition cones are generated by vertical surfaces that invite the visitor to immerse into the Thematic Exhibition. The upright surfaces join into a horizontally orientated platform that becomes a flexible stage for the Best Practice Area. As an agglomeration the exhibition cones define a new meandering coast line, a soft edge that is in constant negotiation between water and land.

DEFINITION OF NEW COAST LINE
The vertical cones are initially organized within a triangular grid along the existing linear breakwater. The grid is influenced by antagonistic forces - land and water - and functional and spatial requirements. The loose array of the vessels turns into a compact agglomeration that creates varied open spaces for the foyer. The interstitial niches frame the ocean view and are used as waiting and resting areas within the exhibition.

CONCEPT THEMATIC EXHIBITION
The Ocean is a “continuous body of water encircling the earth, divided into principal areas” (Wikipedia). This understanding of the Ocean as one whole and individual areas is the main concept for the Thematic Exhibition space. The warped walls establish a heterogeneous space with diverse qualities and spatial situations – from dark exhibition areas with striking vertical heights for immersive exhibition set ups, to day-light zones with framed ocean views to relax and rest. Through the configuration of the walls, successive displays can be experienced as a continuous narration.  Chapters, like “Origin of Life” or “Conflict and Crises” can be orchestrated in contrasting ways without disturbing each other visually or acoustically. The Best Practice Area on the upper level is a very flexible day-light space with three separate galleries for multi-media displays and lectures. The continuous surfaces of the pavilion creates an open “fluid” space, that represents the theme of the exhibition throughout the building.

URBAN AND NATURAL CONTEXT
The proposal integrates the Thematic Pavilion as an iconic landmark into its urban context and the surrounding nature. Like a Janus Head it shows distinctive faces that seamlessly merge into each other. Towards the sea it appears as a conglomeration of solid vertical cones. Opposite the Ocean Tower the pavilion canopies the Ocean Plaza. Along the promenade it develops out of the ground into a walkable roof–landscape. The roof is an artificial landscape with scenic routes, green gardens and topographic lines. It is a combination of natural and artificial elements, like plants or fields of solar collectors and piezoelectric halms, which produce light when moved by the wind. The topographic lines of the roof turn into lamellas of the kinetic media façade that faces the Big O, the Expo’s entrance and the Digital Gallery.  During daytime the lamellas can be moved to change the light condition in the Best Practice Area.  The analog visual effect of the kinetic elements is complemented by digital media (LEDs). The kinetic media façade visualizes the production of energy out of renewable resources happening on the pavilion’s skin, driven by the input of sun, water and wind.

CLIMATE CONCEPT

1. Controlled natural ventilation with slightly raised speed of the air flow in the lobby area to reduce the perceived temperature. To generate the air flow the configuration of the building volumes is optimized to the prevailing wind directions and the in-between space of the cones is forming jet nozzles. The air flow can be adjusted by facades with operable lamellas in the gap.
2. Low-e coated textiles as ceiling materials avoid infrared radiation into the inner volume.
3. Thermal activation of the building mass by cooling the structural components (concrete slabs and concrete walls). Seawater is used to cool down the cooling medium with a heat exchanger. In summertime the average temperature difference is sufficient to run the cooling process. In wintertime the system is inverted and floors and walls are heated with warm water. The warm surfaces are creating a very comfortable interior climate.
4. Air-handling unit with solar powered liquid sorption cooling and adiabatic humidifying of exhaust air for additional thermal conditioning of the exhibition areas. In comparison to other solar powered cooling systems the major advantage of the liquid sorption process is the ability of storing solar power via the regenerated sorbent, which can be used when adequate. In this process also the dehumidifying of intake air is run directly with solar power. As summers in Yeosu are hot and humid the proposed system is able to provide a comfortable climate with no use of primary energy during times with mainly overcast skies.
5. Photovoltaic collectors provide the necessary electric energy to run pumps, fans and other components of the air handling units.
6. Green roofs on the cones provide additional thermal mass to reduce heat gain and retain water drain during periods of intense rain.

from  bustler