Twin residential towers in Seoul's Yongsan district employing stacked cylindrical volumes rotated for views, privacy, and environmental response — connected by a sky bridge and elevated plinth exploiting digital prefabrication technologies.
Completed in 2017 for DreamHub Seoul, the Velo Towers were developed as a test case for digitally fabricated residential construction at scale. Located in the Yongsan district of central Seoul, the project advances a prefabrication strategy in which entire facade panels and interior modules are manufactured off-site and assembled on location.
Design Concept
The Velo Towers consist of four main components. In addition to the two cylindrical towers, there is an elevated plinth at the park level and a sky bridge connection at the upper levels. The plinth houses residential duplex units overlooking the park and provides an elegant landscaped drop-off area for the tower lobbies.
Sky Bridge & Amenities
The sky bridge at the top of the complex is a means of structurally tying and stabilizing the two towers. It is also a shared space with dramatic views accommodating recreational amenities such as a pool, spa, fitness, and lounge.
Digital Fabrication
The Velo Towers’ design and construction exploit digital manufacturing and prefabrication technologies. Each interior is fabricated off-site in a factory-controlled environment. Similarly, facade components are pre-assembled and delivered ready for installation. The facade is prefabricated like automotive bodies, with exterior cladding, IGUs, insulation, and interior finish fully integrated into each panel. This fabrication strategy takes the future of building from theory to practice, showcasing the Velo Towers as a prototypical architecture for the near future.
