SUPRA* Pavilion: A Threshold Between Nature and the City

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The tension between nature and the city has become one of the most prominent topics in recent years, particularly in the context of the Anthropocene debate. As cities grow rapidly, the cyclical rhythm of nature becomes increasingly less visible in densely built-up areas. This transforms the relationship between humans and nature, making it more difficult to understand through mere observation.

SO?'s SUPRA Pavilion, designed in Daegu, is positioned right in the middle of this problem.

The design team, which traveled from Istanbul to Seoul and Suseong, observed that the mountains, rivers, and wind are still palpable in Korean cities. Although technology is at the forefront, nature has not been completely erased. The project area clearly reveals this duality: the noise of high-density construction and highways coexists with the tranquil view of a lake covered with water lilies. Noise and serenity, speed and slowness, different experiences of time intersect in the same space.

Is privacy possible in public spaces?

Based on these observations, SUPRA proposes a rather simple design: a canopy resting on two rocks. Constructed from wood and metal, the structure also references the Korean architectural tradition of using natural materials together. The juxtaposition of stone and wood transforms their encounter with nature into an architectural language.

The pavilion creates a small “urban interior” within a public space. It is not entirely enclosed; nor is it a high-maintenance, expensive volume. It offers the user a sense of privacy for a short period.

So? is asking the following question here:

Within this nature-city dichotomy, how can a person find a moment of their own?

Rain, sky, and water made visible.

SUPRA takes its name from a concept meaning "above," as opposed to "infra." While urban infrastructure is often hidden underground, SUPRA is oriented directly towards the sky and the elements.

When it rains, the descent of water from the air to the ground becomes visible along the eaves. The water can be watched as it flows through the gutters; the movement of nature becomes part of the architecture. When it's not raining, the structure makes possible what Marshall Berman describes as a "privately public" state: a public space where people can be together but without feeling crowded.

Biennial and relational space

SUPRA is a permanent installation designed for the 2024 Suseong International Biennial. The biennial is curated by Choon Choi (Seoul National University) and Kim Youngmin (University of Seoul), who were selected as artistic directors in the fields of architecture and landscape. The main theme of the biennial is “Relational Field”.

SUPRA embodies this concept: a fine line drawn between nature and the city, the individual and the crowd, noise and silence.

ArchDaily 2026 “Building of the Year” Award

SUPRA was among the winning projects in the “Small Scale & Installations” category at ArchDaily’s 2026 Building of the Year Awards, determined by reader votes worldwide . Selected in an organization that received over 120,000 votes from more than 100 countries, SUPRA once again highlighted the impact of small-scale architectural interventions in public spaces.