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The Cloud by MVRDV

date added: 19.12.2011

The design for 'The Cloud', a pair of residential highrises within the yongsan dreamhub masterplan in Seoul, Korea by Rotterdam-based architecture practice MVRDV. Reaching 260 and 300 meters, the towers are linked at the 27th floor with a volume spanning ten floors, evoking the image of a pixelated cloud. Typically found at the base, the plinth has been raised to place the public green space designed by cambridge and London-based landscape architect Martha Schwartz at ground level. Express elevators will lead directly into the connecting bridge containing a sky lounge, restaurants, cafes and conference center as well as wellness and fitness studios within the 14,000 square meter area. Vegetated gardens, decks and pools will top the various shifting cubes.

After a stroll through the gardens, dwellers enter through a lobby within each structure, surrounded by townhouses also placed on ground level. Apartments range from 80 to 260 square meters with double story ceilings, patios and gardens. Four corner units will open to panoramic views of the city within locations of a square building footprint, offering cross ventilation and a variety of daylight conditions while the 1200 square meter penthouses will have personal roof terraces. a 9,000 square meter officetel - office and hotel - program will be included.

Much to the surprise of MVRDV, the design has set off a media frenzy with hundreds of people claiming that the buildings were intentionally designed to evoke September 11 and the fall of the Twin Towers that once stood in New York City’s World Trade Center. MVRDV has released an official apology, but it will likely take much more than that for the crowds to quiet.