One Ocean Thematic Pavilion

Location: Yeosu,South Korea
Design firm: soma
Typology: Other
Years: 2009–2012
Status: Complete

Facade facts

Facade summary: A 140-meter-long kinetic facade made of 108 individually actuated GFRP lamellas that flex elastically to control solar glare and transparency.
Documented intention: The architects and engineers (Knippers Helbig) sought to create a biomimetic envelope inspired by the dynamic behavior of biological systems, such as the gills of a fish or closing petals. Additionally, SOMA aimed to demonstrate how materials with high elastic limits can replace failure-prone mechanical hinges in large-scale kinetic architecture.
Street relationship: The facade acts as an interactive public performance element facing the Expo's primary pedestrian promenade, functioning as a media-art screen and sunshade that directly communicates the interior state of the building to visitors outside.
Climate relationship: The kinetic lamellas serve as a high-performance shading system. They are controlled by individual computer actuators linked to solar sensors, optimizing solar heat gain and daylight levels. Because the site is prone to typhoons, the flexible lamellas were engineered to distribute wind loads via elastic deflection rather than resisting them with rigid resistance.
Window pattern: Continuous double-glazed curtain wall behind the structural frame holding the dynamic screen.
Glazing: Double Glazed Units (DGU)
Depth: Dynamic depth ranging from approximately 0.4 meters to 1.8 meters based on the bending angle of the lamellas.
Rhythm: Progressive rhythm where the height of the individual modules increments and decrements,forming a wave-like silhouette.
Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP): Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) — Dynamic outer skin lamellas — Smooth,satin-matte translucent finish
Structural Steel: Structural Steel — Primary and secondary supporting framework — Coated
Glass: Glass — Inner curtain wall — Transparent,low-E coating
Cast-in-place Concrete: Cast-in-place Concrete — Undulating rear and side facades — Fair-faced,smooth concrete finish
Compliant Mechanism Kinetic Facade: Custom dynamic system using mechanical compression to induce controlled elastic buckling of GFRP panels.
Stick Curtain Wall System: Standard double-glazed aluminum-framed curtain wall running behind the kinetic screen to serve as the thermal boundary.

Description

DOCUMENTED FACTS The pavilion’s land-facing roof landscape turns into a kinetic media facade. The kinetic facade was engineered by Knippers Helbig; climate design was by Transsolar. More than 100 glass-reinforced-plastic lamellas, up to about 14 m high, form the moving skin; detailed engineering literature records 108 lamellas across roughly 140 m of facade. Each lamella is supported at top and bottom and elastically deformed by actuators. The lamellas use glass-fibre-reinforced polymer because high tensile strength can be combined with low bending stiffness. Top and bottom drives create compression that bends and rotates each blade sideways. In the closed position adjacent blades overlap; in operation individual blades produce local movements or waves across the elevation. LEDs intensify the analogue motion at night. ENVIRONMENTAL ROLE During daytime the lamellas control solar input and daylight. The pavilion geometry and gaps between its cone-like volumes were oriented to prevailing winds to support natural ventilation. Transsolar reports that the adaptable facade helps capture and guide winds during moderate/non-humid periods. Radiant floors use seawater heat exchange; rooftop PV supplies about two-thirds of annual building-system energy. TECHNICAL / OPERATION Engineering literature describes 108 GFRP louvers; the largest are about 13 m long and around 9 mm thick in the flexible field, with stiffened edges. Actuators at upper and lower edges drive the deformation. Strong-wind logic closes and locks the facade. The system is centrally controlled and mechanically dependent, so long-term value should be assessed alongside actuator, bearing and control-system maintenance. FACADE READING The skin is simultaneously environmental device, moving architectural expression and media surface. Unlike a conventional kinetic screen that rotates rigid panels, One Ocean exploits elastic material deformation itself as the movement mechanism.

Visual analysis

Visually, the kinetic system functions as a continuous breathing skin. When completely closed, it appears as a unified, seamless textile-like surface. When active, the varying deflection angles of the lamellas generate a sweeping wave pattern across the 140-meter length, transitioning smoothly between opacity and open transparency.