WEISS / MANFREDI

The Taekwondo Park establishes a dynamic gateway to the physical and philosophical world of Taekwondo, becoming an athletic and cultural destination for 70 million practitioners from around the world. Weiss/Manfredi was one of seven international firms invited by the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation to participate in the competition. The short list of firms included Andres Perea Ortega, Sung-Yong Joh, Junsung Kim, Young Joon Kim, Chul Kong, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

Weiss/Manfredi's design for the Taekwondo Park celebrates the history and culture of Korea, the principles of Taekwondo, and the site's dramatic topography. The project is organized around three distinct precincts that represent body, mind, and spirit. Bridges and pathways link a sequence of programs ranging from the spectacle of the arena to the serenity of the healing center retreat. Diverse activities and landscapes are brought together into one continuous park that embodies Taekwondo and makes legible the ascending topography.