BIG unveils Korean Cross Towers design

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has unveiled its design for the Cross # Towers residential development in Seoul, South Korea. The striking design features two towers, 214 m and 204 m high, joined by two seven-storey horizontal apartment blocks at the 70 m and 140 m levels.

The towers will be built on a 21000 m2 site on the Han River, and it is situated on the south-east edge of the Yongsan redevelopment area, which was master planned by Studio Liebskind. The client, Korean developer Dreamhub is building a range of structures on the site, with designs from a series of renowned international architects including SOM, Dominique Perrault, REX, MVRDV as well as BIG.

Commenting on his design, BIG founding partner Bjarke Ingels said, "The Cross # Towers constitute a three-dimensional urban community of interlocking horizontal and vertical towers. Three public bridges connect two slender towers at different levels - underground, at the street and in the sky."

The upper and lower bridges between the towers will feature roof gardens, which will be accessible to all residents and there will be a courtyard in the centre of the development.

"The typical tower inherently removes life from the city it occupies. Circulation is linear and social interactions occur only in lobbies or awkward elevator rides. We propose a building that triples the amount of ground floor - triples the amount of social interaction and reintroduces the idea of neighborhood within the tower complex," said BIG partner in charge Thomas Christoffersen.

The development will offer 627 residences along with amenities including a library, gallery space and a kindergarten.