Honorable Mention: International Architecture Awards 2023
Yeouido Post Tower, Seoul, Korea | 2020

Architects: Heerim Architects & Planners Co., Ltd.
Lead Architect: Young Kyoon Jeong
Associate Architects: Map Hanterin A&E Co., Ltd.
Lead Architect: Il Ho Han
General Contractor: Taeyoung Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.
Client: Korea Post Procurement and Construction Center
Photographers: Wan Soon Park

Yeouido Post Tower comprises the connotation of ‘Producing a landscape of metropolis’ with a concept of ‘URBAN SCAPE.’ It grants symbolism as a central postal service by specialized strategies with ICON TOWER to capture the new scenery of Yeouido, SHARE OFFICE through business center planning, and energy-saving ECO-BUILDING.

It conceives the skyline of the existing Yeouinaru area more dynamically. The public facility of a post office and office adjacent to the open space on the 1st floor form a flexible boundary between work and relaxation to create a public and sustainable daily working environment. The highly recognizable vertical curtain wall becomes a light pillar, and a 360° panoramic view of the Han River, Saetgang Ecological Park, and Bukhansan Mountain can be enjoyed on the upper floors.

The plan for the passive design of the façade vertical louver was to become an energy-saving eco-friendly smart façade. The application of mass design that extends the volume of the upper floor from the 24th floor secures the maximum high floor space with the pleasant prospect, and the post office on the ground floor is located as an individual mass towards the pedestrian street for better accessibility and recognition.

The building is expected to become an iconic symbol that represents Yeouido's financial district with a differentiated design that implies the social and historical characteristics of a post office. Lately, voices of apprehension about changes in the ecosystem have been increasing due to the effects of climate change. As the importance of nature increases, architectural fields are also pushing splendid endeavors to preserve the environment from the design process to after the completion of construction with renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, and eco-friendly materials and recycling.

To incorporate the macroscopic proposition of sustainability into architecture, passive design through solar energy was implemented by applying high-performance insulation, high-efficiency triple windows, and vertical louvers (shades). In addition, the application of Active Design diminished the energy load of the building and further utilized renewable energy in the building by industriously using machinery, electrical equipment, or power.

Through this, it obtained the highest grade of eco-friendly certification in Korea and the highest grade of platinum among the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, the most representative eco-friendly building certification system. The eco-friendly high-rise building was completed by saving 54.8% of annual energy consumption and establishing an internal energy management system to use energy efficiently.