Saya Park
Architect: Álvaro Siza, Carlos Castanheira
Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Type: Cultural
Year: 2021
Photographs: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG, JongOh Kim Photography
Art Pavilion in Saya Park
The following description is courtesy of the architects. There are projects that are born both out of their site and for it.
There are projects that create the site for themselves.
The Art Pavilion modified the hill site and also adapted itself to it. And we all also, adapted ourselves to the beauty of this project.
There was a strong will to build this particular idea on that site and all the challenges were overcome.
The forest pathway makes its way between high concrete walls, rough in texture, but elegant in form.
We pass an isolated volume, destined for study and information; the Library.
Fernando Guerra . FG+SG – Fotografia de Arquitectura 
Fernando Guerra . FG+SG – Fotografia de Arquitectura 
Fernando Guerra . FG+SG – Fotografia de Arquitectura 
Fernando Guerra . FG+SG – Fotografia de Arquitectura
We enter the Art Pavilion as if entering a sculpture that absorbs us and enables us to feel space, light, shade, time and also, what is before and what is beyond.
Having come to the end of the route, we are presented with an external view of infinity.
Inside the space, we look for our own internal, personal infinity.
In architecture space is time.
In architecture light is define[d] form.
In architecture the route surprises.
In architecture rough materials convey elegance.
In architecture the function is being there.
In architecture the shadow reveals the beauty.
– Carlos Castanheira
Fernando Guerra . FG+SG – Fotografia de Arquitectura 
Fernando Guerra . FG+SG – Fotografia de Arquitectura
A Chapel in Saya Park
Saya Park lacked a chapel.
There were plenty of symbols for meditation and introspection, allowing visitors to experience moments of beauty out in the open.
A space of internal beauty was needed.
The Chapel building tucks into the hillside, opening up to the East and allowing in the light of the new day.
It shares the location with other spaces of great symbolism and emotional significance.
Its geometry is pure, because its function is also pure.
As we enter, we are bathed in light from above that penetrates through a small opening. But its effect, its greatness, is startling.
Intended for Christian worship, it opens us up to spirituality.
Space, time and meditation are great wonders that fit into this little building.
As they do in the Soul.
– Carlos Castanheira
Project Details
- Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
- Date: 2015-2018
- Architects:
- Álvaro Siza
- Carlos Castanheira
- Portugal Office: CC&CB, Architects, Lda.
- Project Architect:
- Rita Ferreira (previous study)
- Diana Vasconcelos, (execution)
- Project Team: Luíza Felizardo, Nuno Rodrigues, Filipa Guedes
- 3D models: Germano Vieira
- Local Office: Undisclosed information. Client own management.
- Portuguese Consultant: HDP – Paulo Fidalgo (Structure)
- Carpentry and Wood furniture: SPSS – Serafim Pereira Simões Sucessores, Gaia – Portugal
- Stone furniture and sculptures: Sousa Mármores, Gaia – Portugal
- Steel Sculptures: SteelProf – Soluções de Metalomecânica, Rebordosa – Portugal
- Photography:
- Fernando Guerra . FG+SG – Fotografia de Arquitectura
- JongOh Kim Photography
- Site area: 308.000m2
- Art Pavilion area: 1.350m2
- Chapel area: 42m2
- Observatory area: not yet under construction (planned with 200m2)
