Place: Daejeon, South Korea
Team: MASU Planning , Kengo Kuma & Associates, Gansam Architects & Partners
Client: Daejeon Metropolitan City
Size: 150.000m2
Timeline: Competition 2024, Selected project for Music hall & Art Museum
Daejeon Arts Park
A cultural landscape shaped by nature where art, climate, and urban life are woven into a living park.
The Daejeon Arts Park proposal reimagines a large urban area as a climate-adaptive and culturally vibrant destination. Integrating a music performance hall and art museum within a layered landscape, the project creates a new civic framework where nature, culture, and everyday life merge — positioning the park as a key driver in strengthening Daejeon’s cultural identity.
A New Cultural Destination
To strengthen its role as a hub for science, technology, and innovation, Daejeon initiated an international competition to develop a new Arts Park anchored by major cultural institutions. The project forms a significant step in expanding the city’s cultural infrastructure and creating a destination that attracts both residents and visitors.
A Landscape Inspired by Geological Time
The design is structured through six overlapping landscape layers, reflecting the geological history of the site. These layers generate a varied and immersive park environment, defined by meandering water systems, lush vegetation, and spatial diversity that supports both large-scale experiences and intimate encounters.
A Sponge Park for Climate Adaptation
At the core of the proposal is a strong environmental strategy. The park operates as a “Sponge Park,” designed to absorb, filter, and manage water while supporting local ecosystems. This approach enhances resilience to climate change and integrates water as a visible and experiential element within the landscape
A Breathable Urban Microclimate
Complementing the water strategy, the “Breath Park”-concept introduces cooler micro-climates and improved air quality within the urban environment. Through planting, shading, and landscape design, the park creates comfortable outdoor spaces that encourage year-round use and support public life.
