What does the name Park1538 represent, and how did it shape the architectural concept?
Park1538 combines two ideas. “Park” reflects an open, fence-free space that belongs to everyone. “1538” is the melting point of iron in Celsius, symbolising the moment just before transformation—when material, energy, and human effort converge. This idea became the foundation of the project, guiding us to create architecture that expresses steel not only as a structural material, but as an emotional and cultural medium.
Pull quote: “1538 degrees is the moment when iron transforms. We wanted the building itself to embody that sense of energy, tension, and possibility.”
How is Park1538 designed to function as a communication platform for both POSCO and the local community?
The project integrates a Promotion Center and an Education Center within a publicly accessible park. The Promotion Center introduces POSCO’s history, technologies, and vision through exhibitions, immersive media, and art, while also functioning as a cultural venue for residents. The Education Center supports learning, dialogue, and future-oriented knowledge exchange, set within a calm environment that connects to the surrounding landscape.
By keeping the plaza open at all times, Park1538 becomes part of daily life in Gwangyang, not a closed corporate campus.
The concept of “light wave” is central to the design. What does it mean in architectural terms?
Gwangyang is written using the characters for light (光) and sun (陽). From this, we developed the idea of “Light Wave”—a continuous, flowing architectural form that reflects both the region’s identity and POSCO’s future-facing vision. Steel allowed us to realise these wave-like curves with precision and structural clarity, balancing strength with flexibility.
Steel is clearly more than a structural choice here. How was it used to express imagination and identity?
Steel is the narrative of this building. More than 4,400 tonnes of steel were used across the structure and finishes. PosMAC steel was applied extensively to achieve durability, corrosion resistance, and a refined aesthetic. The building itself becomes a tribute to steel—its performance, adaptability, and expressive potential.
At Park1538, steel is not hidden. It defines the structure, the envelope, and the experience of the space.
Can you explain the ‘rib’ concept and its role in shaping the building?
Park1538 is organised as a series of vertical layers we call “ribs.” These are PosMAC steel elements that translate the complex three-dimensional curves of the building into a rational system. There are 55 ribs in total, each with a unique geometry, paired with glass curtain walls.
This approach allowed us to manage the complexity of the free-form design while maintaining structural stability. Any change to interior space required recalculating the ribs, structure, and finishes simultaneously, which made close coordination and 3D modelling essential from the earliest design stages.
What structural challenges did the project present, and how were they addressed?
All structures use steel frames, consistent with POSCO’s identity. The Promotion Center features a large cantilevered mass—96 by 65 metres—supported by smaller volumes below, creating a deliberate sense of tension and lightness. The structure is based on POSCO’s SS275 and SM355 built-up steel members, with complex calculations to manage load interactions while keeping the form slender and elegant.
Art plays a visible role in the project. How does it relate to steel and architecture?
Art was conceived as an extension of the building’s material story. In the Promotion Center lobby, Choi Jeong-hwa’s STAR installation uses 1,538 stainless steel spheres made from POSCO’s STS316, directly referencing the melting point of iron. Outside, Smart Light by Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth transforms STS316 steel into a monumental public artwork.
These works demonstrate steel’s versatility—not only as an industrial material, but as a medium for artistic expression.
Art allowed us to show steel as cultural material, not just an industrial one.
What role does Park1538 play in Gwangyang’s social and economic landscape?
Park1538 is intended as a civic landmark. The always-open plaza, integrated landscape, and cultural facilities create new public value for the city. By combining education, culture, and industry in one place, the project strengthens the relationship between POSCO and the community, while positioning Gwangyang as a city connected to the future of steel and innovation.
What do you hope visitors take away from Park1538?
I hope visitors leave with a new understanding of steel—its beauty, intelligence, and relevance to contemporary life. Park1538 shows how steel can shape not only buildings, but also shared experiences, learning, and identity. It represents a starting point for imagining what the next era of the steel industry can contribute to society.
Park1538 was developed by POSCO A&C for POSCO and the City of Gwangyang, and recognised with the constructsteel 2025 Best Project of the Year Award for its architectural excellence, innovative use of steel, and civic contribution.