Gwangju Center Redevelopment Project, Competition, 2020, 1st Prize

Gwangju Center Redevelopment Project is located in the Sangmu District, the representative Commercial area of Gwangju City in southern Korea. To redevelop the previous E-Mart (hypermarket) site, we proposed the mixed-use high-rising complex consisting of 2 towers with 226 housing and a 2-story street mall.

‘Public Officials Benefits Association’ announced the competition for the Project Implementor & Operator of the Gwangju Hall Redevelopment. UA26 organized the KORAMCO consortium as joint investors including KORAMCO REITs & Trust, GS Retail, IBK Investment & Securities, KCC E&C, and Hyundai Architects & Engineers Associates and in 2019, our consortium was selected as the preferred bidder.

HDA and UA26 Architecture performed design services. The master plan was created a green plaza that connects the significant public parks on the east and west, customized to provide an unblocked view for all housing units, specialized with a nature-friendly apartment housing plan. As the only open street-themed shopping mall in the Sangmu district, a plaza and terrace were planned for attracting customers, high-ceiling commercial space with a mezzanine floor was specialized to create a pleasant space.