Seoul wing provides temporary shelter in parks
Seoul Wing by BKID is a series of installative sunshades for parks that can withstand typhoons and harsh weather. Formed with a sloping roof, the bird-wing-shaped structures are made from polyurethane mesh, giving them a lightweight and robust design. Seoul’s summers are humid, and at times, the country experiences sudden storms and seasonal typhoons. Traditional parasols and tents break under strong winds, so BKID reframes these through the lens of biomimicry because in nature, wings can withstand air by being flexible and distributing force.
all images courtesy of BKID | photos by BKID and Lee Sangpil
Light Installative sunshades made from mesh
The mesh as the primary material lessens the wind load because air passes through, so during high winds, the installative Seoul Wing sunshades don’t resist. Polyurethane mesh also keeps the system light enough to be assembled and transported, and its exposure to rain, humidity, and UV light doesn’t degrade its surface immediately. For the design of the structures, the BKID team chooses a canopy-like form to shelter groups of ten or more instead of just a couple of people. Under the installative sunshades of the Seoul Wing, families can gather for picnics, and because of the form’s extended span, they create fields of shade to (temporarily) protect them from harsh weather.
Visually, the canopy introduces a kinetic silhouette to the landscape, with its curved surfaces and tensile lines contrasting the greenery. More than a shelter, the installative shades Seoul Wing rethink how shade is provided in dense urban contexts, where perhaps trees and other greenery are slowly being reduced. So far, the team shows that the structures have been installed in a number of parks in Seoul, Korea, including the Battleship Park, Botanic Park, and the dog playground at the Olympic Park.
Seoul Wing by BKID is a series of installative sunshades for parks
the bird-wing-shaped structures are made from polyurethane mesh
the structures are curved to withstand the harsh weather
Seoul Wing at Olympic Park, Dog Playground
Seoul Wing at Olympic Park, Dog Playground
detailed view of the bird-wing-inspired structured
the design is lightweight so it is easy to transport and assemble it
project info:
name: Seoul Wing
photography: BKID, Lee Sangpil | @sangpil
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