A Whole Bundle Of Skyscraper In Seoul

Construction is well underway on one of the very latest skyscrapers in the South Korean capital of Seoul to stand in the central business district of Yeoido island.

With a height of 165 metres and 36 storeys S-Trenue has been designed by Minsuk Cho of Mass Studies, who has conceived a tower dominated by an outer zigzagging metal frame that runs along the podium section, and then up the main skyscraper element creating an appearance of bundled metal.

Running up the center of the tower are 31 small sky gardens fitted in niches, each adding a contrast of green behind the shining metal that covers the exterior.

The "greening" of a tower is a common trick used by the architect to much success in other buildings he has designed, including the Boutique Monaco which features them on its corners and was completed recently, also in Seoul.

The construction technique of the tower has seen a central concrete core rise, and then a slanting concrete framed element run up it either side, peeling away on one side on the upper floors of the building.

The angled sections will be clad in glass with stainless steel vertical lines which give the tower a dynamic impression of fluid movement.

One thing that makes the building unusual is the true multi-use purpose it has with floors five and above given over to what is dubbed "officetel", units suitable for both habitation and offices alike making the tower one of the tallest live/work buildings in the world.

The tower crane was erected following basement works in July 2007 and completion of S-Trenue is scheduled for slightly under a year from now in September, 2009.