GANSAM NEWS
Gansam, Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Chung-Ang University Building 205
▴ Establishing a Science and Engineering Cluster at Chung-Ang University — Completion Scheduled for the Second Half of 2029
▴ Leveraging Site Topography to Integrate Campus, City, and Academic Functions
Groundbreaking ceremony touch-button moment for the construction of Chung-Ang University Building 205 © Gansam
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, April 2, at the Jaeiunteu Stadium on the Seoul Campus of Chung-Ang University for the construction of Chung-Ang University Building 205, designed by Gansam Architects & Partners (hereinafter “Gansam”). The event was attended by approximately 200 guests, including Lee Hyun-soon, Chairman of the Chung-Ang University Foundation; Park Se-hyun, President of Chung-Ang University; Kim Bu-seop, President of the Alumni Association; and Kim Tae-sung, CEO of Gansam.
Building 205 is a new education and research facility to be constructed on the Seoul Campus of Chung-Ang University, planned as a key hub within the university’s science and engineering cluster. The building will have a building area of 4,451.00㎡ and a total floor area of 56,739.96㎡, comprising four basement levels and thirteen above-ground floors, with completion scheduled for the second half of 2029.
Chung-Ang University has set its transition toward a research-oriented institution as a major strategic goal and has continuously worked to strengthen both its research environment and support systems. According to the 2025 Survey of National Research Activities published by the National Research Foundation of Korea, the university ranks fifth nationwide among private comprehensive universities in terms of research funding. However, due to the constraints of a high-density urban campus, it has faced ongoing challenges related to spatial efficiency and capacity. With the construction of Building 205, the university plans to accelerate the development of its science and engineering cluster while advancing its research and education infrastructure.
Central view of Building 205 on the Chung-Ang University campus © Gansam
In his commemorative address, President Park Se-hyun stated, “Building 205 will house a clean room—the core of semiconductor research—alongside a convergence research center that connects all academic disciplines through AI, powered by big data technologies.” He added, “We aim to establish research centers focused on future industries at an early stage, creating an open platform where industry and academia can grow together.”
Convergence · Connectivity · Communication · Next Generation
Gansam presented four key design principles for Chung-Ang University Building 205: convergence, connectivity, communication, and next generation. The building is designed to overlap and interconnect diverse academic disciplines, research fields, and student life spaces within a single structure. By closely linking the three axes of geography, academia, and the city, the project is realized as a next-generation campus core.
A Multi-Level Spatial Hub Connecting the Campus
The site of Building 205 is located on a sloped terrain within a dense urban context, characterized by significant level differences. Rather than treating these conditions as constraints, the design transforms them into a continuous spatial flow, enabling multi-level access and connections across the campus. A vertical open space spanning from Basement Level 1 to the 3rd floor is introduced, with escalators simplifying circulation. Building 205 functions not only as a passage that enhances user mobility, but also as a central hub that physically connects the campus.
View of Chung-Ang University Building 205 set on a sloped site © Gansam
Expanding Academic Exchange Through Connected Spaces
To function as a next-generation campus core, the building is planned as a platform that fosters active academic exchange by linking the library and the College of Engineering, which are located at different levels. In particular, the third floor connects directly to the College of Engineering and accommodates a spacious shared area, a stepped lecture hall, and a cafeteria, supporting diverse forms of interaction. From the fourth to the twelfth floors, the building is organized with research rooms and laboratories, providing infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale and long-term interdisciplinary research.
A Top-Level Community Lounge for Learning and Relaxation
The top floor, Level 13, is designed as a community lounge where learning and relaxation coexist. It features a student lounge with views of the Han River and a multipurpose hall with a capacity of 400 seats. Generous ceiling heights and expansive openings allow natural light to penetrate deep into the interior. Overlooking both the Han River and the campus, this space is accessible to all members of Chung-Ang University, serving as a shared retreat that offers a sense of openness and respite within the urban environment.
Joowon Jung, Head of Division at Gansam and the lead architect of Building 205, stated, “We aimed to demonstrate, through architectural language, that a wide range of educational spaces can be realized even within the constraints of a limited site.” He added, “We hope the building will become a next-generation campus core that encourages active communication and exchange.”
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2026.04.21