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 microclimates 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.
