In the framework of the Busan 2004 International Architectural Culture Festival, the Municipality organised an international ideas competition, in one stage, for the design of a centre devoted to ecology. Located on the banks of the Nakdong River in Busan, the vocation of the Eco-Centre is to promote the preservation of nature and ecological education in the southern region of Korea.

In conformity with the UNESCO-UIA regulations for international competitions in architecture and town planning, this competition received UIA approval.

The Eco-centre is designed to play an educational role vis-à-vis the public at large and to demonstrate the possibility for harmonious co-existence between man and nature. With a built surface of 3 300 m2, the programme included permanent and temporary exhibition spaces with an analogous presentation of the past, the present and the future of the Nakdong River; a research centre; an out-door ecological observatory; a museum and a children's playground. The architectural concept was required to express the relationship between man and nature and endeavour to respond to the challenge: Nature versus Man-made, conflict or harmony?.

The international jury met in Busan from 22 to 25 July 2004. Presided over by Gregory Burgess, architect (Australia), the jury was composed of Lise Anne Couture (Asymptote), architect (USA), Jong Sung Kimm, architect (Republic of Korea), representing the UIA, Jun Sung Kim, architect (Republic of Korea) and Eleni Gigantes, architect (Greece). Liu Xiaoming, architect (PR of China), was also present at the jury deliberations as UIA deputy member. The jury examined two hundred and ninety eight entries from forty different countries around the world and considered them in the light of the following criteria:
• Harmony between nature and artefacts;
• Imagination and creativity in site planning and functional organisation;
• Sensitivity to the eco-system and the balance between nature and human intervention;
• Construction feasibility;
• Architectural quality.

First prize winner

Day dreams and night-fireworks. Simplicity and elegance are the most striking characteristics. A wonderful balance has been found not only through the choice of materials and technology but also by sensitivity to the particularly delicate existing conditions. We can all easily anticipate the dancing light captured inside, the gentle smell of the wood and the gradual colour changes on the different layers of the skin. All those will evoke the imagination of visitors to the site.
(Extract from the jury's citation)