Elevated Elf Land : Horse Park Youngcheon

Building Fact

  • Site Area : 1,470,162 sqm
  • Gross Floor Area : N/A
  • Building Height : Varies
  • Location: Yeung-cheon, Kyeung-sang Book-do, South Korea
  • Status : International Design Competition Prize Winner – Honorable

Let’s Run Yeongcheon: Redefining Horse Parks with Nature, Storytelling, and Family-Oriented Experiences

Let’s Run Yeungcheon represents a harmonious blend of nature and human interaction, redefining the identity of horse parks in Korea. Our vision for this purpose-driven park is to create an immersive and distinct experience, drawing visitors from the local community, across South Korea, and even from overseas through its compelling narrative and sustainable design.

To preserve the natural beauty of the site while minimizing extensive excavation, we employed elevated platforms that seamlessly integrate with the landscape. This innovative approach not only respects the land but also transforms the traditional perception of horse racing from a mere gamble into a family-oriented activity closely linked with the theme park.

The site’s unique topography, with varying elevations ranging from 25m to 45m across its mountains, inspired us to design a horse track that gracefully embraces these natural contours. We ingeniously elevated the track’s approach from the parking area, creating a distinctive feature that sets Let’s Run Horse Park Yeoungchen apart from all others.

Central to our design is the introduction of Elf Land, a captivating narrative within the park. At its heart stands an iconic castle representing six different tribes inspired by the enchanting world of ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ The story revolves around a horse race game hosted by the Elf tribe, inviting five others to participate. This shift in paradigm transforms private gambling sports into a family-oriented game. Every aspect of the park, from the entrance experience to the utilization of various facilities, is carefully designed to enhance visitors’ benefits and overall enjoyment.

The Grandstand, a pivotal element of the theme park, occupies a central location within Elf Plaza, making it easily accessible from the main entrance. It seamlessly integrates with the shopping arcade, exhibition spaces, trade shows, restaurants, and cafeterias, all while harmonizing with the natural landscape. This holistic approach ensures that Let’s Run Yeungcheon offers an unforgettable experience that resonates with both the local community and international visitors, setting a new standard for horse parks in Korea.

Design Process

Master Plan

Functional Diagram

Visitors Joy

Grand Stand Design

The design of the Grandstand plays a crucial role in the theme park, as its functions are closely interconnected with the other elements of the park. Positioned centrally within Elf Plaza, the Grandstand is easily accessible from the main entrance, making it ideal for horse racing events. Additionally, it is seamlessly connected to the shopping arcade, exhibition spaces, trade shows, restaurants, and cafeteria, all while being harmoniously integrated with the surrounding natural landscape.

HORSE & HORSE RACERS’ UNIQUE DECORATION

Our proposed design for Yeongcheon Horse Park aims to revolutionize the existing horse racing paradigm in Korea and globally. The Yeongcheon horse race introduces a unique system where six tribes compete, reminiscent of the Olympic Games. The participating tribes are:

ELF / DWARF / HOBBIT / OAC / MAIAR / ENT

Each tribe will enter the horse race with two participants, resulting in a total of 12 racers per game. To distinguish them, both the horse and rider will be identified by the tribe’s specific colors, with each tribe having its own designated horse color. For example, the Elf tribe will ride white horses, while other tribes will be represented by their respective colors. This system will make it easy for visitors to recognize and identify the horses belonging to each tribe.

The horse colors for each individual tribe are as follows:

As shown in the reference image depicting horse colors, each horse and rider will wear their tribe’s unique uniform, flag, and symbols. This approach ensures that visitors can easily identify their tribe’s horse during the race, enhancing the overall experience and making it more enjoyable for spectators. Additionally, this clear identification will assist visitors in placing bets on their chosen tribe while enjoying the riding show.

SAMPLE MEMBERSHIP CARDS

ECO TREE

Elf Eco-tree is one of the iconic features of the theme park where people experience of Elf style The Elf Eco-tree is one of the park’s iconic features, offering visitors an immersive experience of the Elf-inspired environment. This Eco-tree not only serves as a structural support for the main plaza platform but also incorporates four key systems:

  • Sustainable system
  • Renewable energy system
  • Green column
  • Vertical circulation connecting different deck levels

During the rainy season, the tree collects water for irrigation, which is used to nourish the surrounding plants and trees. Vines on the Eco-column are also proposed to help lower temperatures in the plaza during summer. Additionally, solar panels integrated at the top of the tree generate energy to power the LED screens on the Grandstand and the landscape lighting in the evening.

Central Orc Zone Area Perspective

Hobbit Zone Horse Training Area Perspective

Ent Zone Amusement Park Area Perspective

Elf Zone Hotel and River Area Perspective

Elevated Elf Land Entrance Area Perspective