Floating Ground: A Landmark that Disappears
Bronze Prize in Architectural design
In 2022, archaeological excavations at the reconstruction site of Jamsil Jinju Apartment Complex in Seoul uncovered significant remains from Hansung Baekje, the early capital period of the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje. Following archaeological investigations and heritage reviews, the remains were preserved within a new historical park, where Dwelling No. 22, the largest pit-house discovered on the site, required a protective shelter. The project sought not only to protect the remains from weather, but also to create a landmark that would remain secondary to the heritage. Rather than introducing an iconic object, the design aimed to reveal the historical traces embedded in the ground. This intention led to the concept of Floating Ground—an invisible landmark reflecting the memory of the site. Derived from the archaeological footprint, the canopy acts as a reflective medium in a park where the ground itself is the artifact. Clad in a super-mirror finish, it captures the surrounding landscape and sky, visually dissolving its presence and creating the impression that fragments of the earth have been lifted into the air. An internal truss system and slender steel columns enable a 27-meter span while minimizing intervention. Seen from afar, the canopy appears to hover above the ground; up close, it quietly frames and protects the archaeological remains, allowing history to remain at the center of attention.
Participant category: Small company (< 10 employees)
Company name: YZA
Country: South Korea
Location: Jamsil Jinju Apartment History Park, 508 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Kroea
Client: Songpa-gu District Office
Team: Lead Team : Hyoung-gul Kook Design Team : Jungeun Jo, Jaewan Park, Soobong Han Landscape Architecture : ESOO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS Structure: Teo Structure
Edition: 2026
Project status: Realised
Website: https://yz-architecture.com/