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April 2008

Halcrow Yolles pays homage to Korean symbol of nature

An ancient pagoda tree in Seoul, Korea, a cherished symbol of nature, is sprouting new leaves after Halcrow Yolles worked to preserve it as part of a new development there. The 17m tall tree, which has a long tradition of visitors, now stands proud and shielded at the entrance to the new Canadian diplomatic complex engineered by Halcrow Yolles.

The company is committed to environmental integrity in creating the built environment and so measures to protect the tree were a critical part of the project to ensure its survival throughout the construction process along with sustainable structural engineering solutions. The tree is a national treasure in Korea, a revered living symbol of nature in the historic Jeong-dong area.

“Over the centuries, Korea has seen many of its historical buildings and treasures destroyed by war or overshadowed by development,” said Anthony Mirvish, a Halcrow Yolles project engineer. “The opportunity to help preserve this ancient tree and incorporate it into the project was particularly satisfying to the entire team. We found sustainable structural engineering solutions that protected this extraordinary living heritage while also providing a new building in this community.”

The Canadian diplomatic complex is a beautiful structure spanning just over 9,000 square metres of staff quarters, offices and reception facilities. The pagoda tree is the focal point in the impressive entrance plaza, which is tied to the main masses of the building with a soft curved based made of western red cedar.  The area of Jeong-dong played a significant role in the choice of the materials used on the exterior of the building – mainly stone, brick and wood in hues of grey and red. Meanwhile, the massing and skin of the building were inspired by impressionist images of the Canadian landscape.

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