Korea University

Acclimatizing Syntheti-City

What form and function should the Han River Bridge City, connecting Nanji Hangang Park and Mount Jeungmi, emblematic of Seoul's modern history, assume? This question lies at the intersection of Seoul's expansive growth and the imperative to conserve its natural environment. Given the complex relationship between the sprawling metropolis and environmental preservation, what balanced alternatives warrant exploration?

The 'Syntheti-City' concept presupposes a hypothetical scenario in which a deliberately constructed city gradually evolves into a resilient urban environment through symbiotic interactions with the natural milieu. The term 'Synthetic' implies a lack of inherent meaning in individual components, which coalesce into a meaningful entity through mutual processes. Envisioning a future city where man-made and natural elements harmoniously coexist and perpetuate sustainable relationships, the projects are categorized into sub-themes of 'Co-habitation,' 'Surplentia,' and 'Reflection.' 'Co-habitation' explores the coexistence of nature and humanity, 'Surplentia' addresses cities not as depleted, but as having surplus resources, and 'Reflection' contemplates the changing lives and desires of modern individuals. Through the creative imagination and alternatives of each student, we aspire to envision a new future city, a century from now, where cities can minimize their environmental impact and coexist harmoniously with nature.