private thoughts...

Above: Submitted entry for Evolo 2020 Skyscraper Competition - Mina Kim

(Board 1)

The Future of Skyscrapers:
Structure-less and Free

It all began with the idea that everything in this world is made up of energy bodies…

In the future, it will be possible for everything to become completely wireless, even electricity, plumbing, and mechanical ductworks.
Ultimately, it will become possible for buildings to stand without need for rigid structures.
How? Because in the future, it is envisioned that our technologies will have made a breakthrough limitations subjecting gravity, and matter.

The idea is simple: there is nothing rigid and fixed in this world. Every matter at its smallest scale, consists of loose atoms tightly (or loosely) knit together by rapid movement of electrons through them.

This in fact is the structure of nature.

1. the services: dissipation of matter into molecular level

Water, air, gas and electricity are dissipated into molecular level for ‘transfer’, and condensed back into its original form at point of use, in means to service a building. This eliminates need for rigid wiring, ductwork or plumbing.

2. attraction and gravitational pull

Every mass has natural gravitational pull, i.e. attraction energy. With careful and researched use of this inherent natural force, the dissipated molecules of services substances are circulated over the body of its architecture, and not lost to air or its surroundings.

3. the structure: atomic and vortex-bonding

Orbit + sharing of electrons at rapid speed ‘ties’ atoms together

Rapid movement of molecules and energies servicing electricity, water and air/gas travelling through paths creates a type of bonding and pulling force, similar to electrons and vortex which in effect ‘tightly knits’ individual larger bodies together. 

(Board 2)

The Facade ‘Skin’

Responds organically to weather and touch.
It is powered by self-generated energy, from molecules circulating at high speeds.

The ‘skin’ itself is malleable, flexible yet strong, being able to create opening
(window) anywhere a person touches.

This dynamic ‘living’ facade is made possible through molecule activation.

Instant transition from solid to gaseous state, and reversible, makes it possible for physical walls to ‘open’ freely upon activation.

The regenerative skyscraper system

Water reticulation and recycle process, creating a communal well/waterfall at core of tower

Service spaces with waste output, such as kitchen / bathroom, are located above the ‘platform’ where recyclable water is collected within floor depth and filtered through the ‘in-platform’ system.

Once filtered, the clean water discharges out of the ‘platform’ and pools at the center of the tower, embarking on yet another natural filtration process consisting of water fall, and seeping through soil particles and organic matter (deposited at center).

Air inter-layer, climate responsive thermal wall.
Fully inflatable (floats on water) at emergency scenario

Molecules of air, electricity, water and other building necessity substances travel over the tower surface, creating a vertical vortex in holding ‘lightweight’ pods together.

Earlier works… At the time I was writing about ‘blurred relationships between nature and technology in architecture.' 

How today’s science is striving closer towards becoming more like nature, although nature and science (or technology) are two seemingly contrasting or opposing realms. For example, the 'breathing wall’ and the 'sense-responsive surfaces’ are some of present technologies imitating the living. One day perhaps, our technology might arrive at a point where it resembles to a very accurate degree, of this organic-ness..

Needless to say however, the creations of Human could not compare to the creations of God.

This juxtaposition between science and nature was explored, creating somewhat a strange and curious composition between the old and the new.

Pencil & Pen on Paper

© Mina Kim, 2013.07

Public Design Seoul 2016 (Street Furniture)

Generating energy from cycling and store + emit as light during night time.

© Mina Kim, 2016

Above:  Fenn Young Designers Award (International Competition, 59 countries), 1st Prize + ArchDaily Publication

Concept

Among the sketches one began to play with an idea that perhaps, an ‘organic’ object was likened to being ‘selfish’. Self‐ish, as it had a sense of self to it; after all, organic means to live and to live perhaps meant it was a character of some being. It is one’s thought that everyone is a main character of their own world, the focal point of their own being; therefore, the sense of centre or self is imperative to his, or her own life. This can perhaps be contrasted to the other ‘self‐less’ half of nature, for example air, water, sunlight, and earth. The absence / dispersion of centre, or the absence of ‘self’ as focal point of identity is portrayed here however, they are the giving element to the ‘self‐ish’, i.e. the receiving. In the two parts – self‐ish and the self‐less – we find beauty of

balance and harmony in the organic world.

Perhaps then this characterization or the awareness of ‘self’ in organic architecture is why we often experience intimate and personality‐like qualities, beyond what could be cold materials. Such qualities include shyness of the small details; the enveloping walls; the expressive and resonating space of the inner; and sometimes, the quirkiness, peculiarity or the hint of humour and amusement embodied within the composition of it all, as if a creature of its own.

Design

The design is a series of four ‘Organic Scape Structures’. They are a merge of architecture, landscape and sculptural form combined, which explore organic in a way of self‐expression, following the concept as discussed above. The resulting forms are also a realization that every organic object or space might have a story to tell,

just as a character does. It is envisioned that these organic scape structures would be planted within heart of city, where the landform would feel like ‘an oasis of nature’ among concrete scape; or contrastingly, it could be planted within a park in which it would somewhat symbolize an intensified form of its surroundings. Overall, it is an exploratory piece, an attempt to push boundaries in search of meaning of the ‘organic’.

It is envisioned that locally‐created and natural materials will be incorporated as much as possible in creating these organic scape structures. This includes:

‐ Crushed shell combined with sand, stone and cement to create textured ground work and standing forms

‐ Incorporation of recycled and crushed glass (such as from glass bottles ‐ coloured or non coloured) to add colour and reflective light to triads / crosses

‐ Curved base framework, onto which slender solid timber slats (varied tone) could be lined continuously to create free contours varying in height.

‐ Pathways of water, or perhaps created of black reflective stone which also weaves along contours and under canopies is also envisioned, as part of organic scape.

‐ Main white ‘bodies’ of these organic scape creatures are envisioned as sculpted of white concrete, with its inner surface expressed textured in various way, for example insertion of shells with its ‘fins’ protruding out of the concrete and creating textured expressions.

© Mina Kim, 2012.12

All work Copyright © Mina Kim 2026