Korean practice On Architecture INC. has created a project that aims to regenerate a village with an aging population in Icheon-si, South Korea, renowned for rice and flower farming.
Named NONSPACE, the project proposes new possibilities through an experimental cross-cultural facility or “cross-space,” as described by the architects, enabling interactions between diverse cultures. It intends to be a site for a variety of programs, going beyond the functions of a typical commercial space.
The architects employed an experimental construction technique by combining exposed concrete with rice straw to form an indoor atmosphere that feels like a straw-woven space.
Before concrete placement, bundles of rice straw were laid on the slab form and drenched with water in order to absorb the concrete’s moisture. The form and bundles were eventually removed, leaving the rice straw embedded in the concrete. Over time, the atmosphere of the space will transform as the straw undergoes changes.
NONSPACE provides a multisensory experience, enlivened by its blurring of the interior and exterior. Visitors can feel the changing sky and wind, and can sense the presence of water through sounds that emerge from a gap in the floor.
Various sensations of nature, such as opening and closing, shrinking and expanding, and brightness and darkness, are mimicked by the layout of the space.
In addition, paths on the rooftop feature pebbles that create pleasant sounds that complement the sound of flowing water as visitors walk.
3 Comments
Building new architecture does not regenerate a village or city, if it cant attract people it will and always will fail. At least from all these photos , I couldnt tell there is anything special that makes people want to go and live there again .
A sculpturist project.
The narrative is too apologetic to make this density-driven development on farmland acceptable to public scrutiny if any. I am curious what the camera would show in the opposite direction in the first picture. My guess is creeping urbanization.
Architecturally, I am at a yes and no. The development needs many more clusters -said in the same tone Corbu said about New York skyscrapers "not high enough".
Rice and concrete do not mix - see: CemWood the wonder material of the 1980s used for billions of shingles that ALL failed due to differential expansion of vegetable matter and cement. Billions of dollars in lawsuits, 1,000s of small roofing companies driven out of business.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.