The new Ferry Terminal on the Han River, “ e Droplet”, is integral to the new city’s Masterplan proposal. e journey begins from the city and continues though the proposed elevated bridges that naturally leads to the proposed Ferry Terminal and directly to the Han River.
Located mostly on the water the new Ferry Terminal develops a new relationship with the Han Riv- er, creating a new link and connecting Seoul’s Metro line with the water routes which become new threads to discover.
Like a “Droplet”, the terminal, is a transparent element, re ecting the water’s colors during day and glowing at night like a lantern becoming a new landmark and for the city.
It is composed of three primary oors. e top level is the Observatory Deck with cafeteria, a cocktail bar and restaurant both on the mezzanine level. e middle level contains the Ticket O ce, Info Desk and administration o ces. e lower level is where the connection to water pontoon begins.
e access to the ticket oor happens through a central gently-sloping ramp surrounded on both sides by timber anks. At a higher level there is a at walkway linking the roof top to the observatory deck at Level 3.
e central ramp, in addition to connecting the ticket area to the roof level, becomes a central area where passengers can sit on green steps while waiting for the next boat to arrive or just relax and watch the world passing by. As well as being a central focal point, the terminal’s interior ellipse island on level 2 and level 3 orientates and leads passengers to the front of the terminal and to the levels below.
e oors are also open in speci c areas to encourage visual links and maximize the ow of natural light into the internal spaces. e roof-top gently rises as people approach the terminal from the park, becoming a new panoramic outdoor deck o ering spectacular views of the city in front and the Han River below.
Local commuters ow freely through the terminal, ascending or descending ramps through the undu- lating landscape and nally arriving at water level on the timber and steel pontoon and ascending via ramps to reach the Ferry Terminal’s rst level, passengers will quickly reach Level 2 via stairs or Li and continue their journey along the new green dishes.
Departing passengers follow a similar procession through the terminal. Both sets of travelers can enjoy a drink or food within the terminal. e interweaving of architecture, landscape and water composes
a poetic interplay between the city and nature and begins to reestablish the critical link between Seoul and the Han River.
Design by Marco Ferri with Sang Dae Lee principle at UnitedLAB in NewYork and Winston Lim Architects in Singapore.
