Tadao Ando designs an underground concrete dome for Antony Gormley’s artistic installation

The collaboration between world-renowned architect Tadao Ando and British sculptor Antony Gormley has resulted in a remarkable architectural and artistic landmark. Situated within the serene surroundings of Museum SAN in Wonju, South Korea, the project features an underground concrete dome that seamlessly integrates concrete architecture with modern art, creating a contemplative space for Gormley’s sculptural works. This innovative subterranean design advances the dialogue between contemporary architecture and artistic installations, pushing the boundaries of spatial experience and civil engineering to new heights. The fusion of Ando’s signature brutalist style and Gormley’s body-centered sculptures establishes Ground not only as a sanctuary for art but also a testament to architectural innovation in 2025.

Architectural Innovation in Underground Concrete Dome Design by Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando’s approach to concrete architecture is synonymous with harmony between minimalism, nature, and materiality. His design for the underground concrete dome at Museum SAN exemplifies these principles by embracing the earth as a protective shell around the sculptural installation. The dome measures approximately 25 meters in diameter and 7.2 meters in height, providing a spacious yet intimate environment for visitors to engage with Antony Gormley’s works.

The use of raw, untreated concrete surfaces and precise geometric form evoke a sense of timelessness and permanence. This architectural choice complements Gormley’s sculptures, which explore the human body’s relationship to space and existence. The underground design naturally controls lighting conditions with a single oculus at the dome’s apex, channeling natural light dynamically throughout the day, thereby enhancing the sculptural experience.

From a civil engineering standpoint, the challenge was to create a subterranean structure that harmonizes with the landscape while delivering structural integrity and sustainability. The dome’s thick concrete walls act as both load-bearing and insulating elements, demonstrating Ando’s mastery in blending heavy materials with delicate spatial experiences. The building’s discreet entry, marked by a gray-toned portal, preserves the serene garden above while inviting visitors to descend through a spiral staircase into the immersive setting below.

• 🎯 Benefits of underground concrete dome:
  • Natural insulation for temperature regulation
  • Minimized visual impact on the surrounding environment
  • Controlled lighting enhancing art display
  • Sound dampening improving visitor experience
• Natural insulation for temperature regulation
• Minimized visual impact on the surrounding environment
• Controlled lighting enhancing art display
• Sound dampening improving visitor experience
• 🔧 Key architectural innovations include:
  • Precise concrete casting to achieve flawless surfaces
  • Strategic use of natural light through a central oculus
  • Integration of sculptural and architectural elements
  • Subterranean spatial programming for meditative interaction
• Precise concrete casting to achieve flawless surfaces
• Strategic use of natural light through a central oculus
• Integration of sculptural and architectural elements
• Subterranean spatial programming for meditative interaction

This project stands as a case study for professionals seeking inspiration in combining rigorous civil engineering with expressive architectural forms. For museums and cultural spaces aiming to embed art installations within their landscapes discreetly and meaningfully, Ando’s design serves as a model of architectural innovation grounded in material authenticity and visitor experience optimization. Further details on the architectural collaboration can be explored here.

Antony Gormley’s Sculptural Design and Its Dialogue with Concrete Architecture

Antony Gormley employs his renowned cast iron sculptures to engage with space and the human body, themes that resonate deeply within the underground concrete dome. Ground serves as a platform for seven of Gormley’s “Blockworks” — sculptures predefined and arranged to explore the relationship between the body, environment, and perception.

The muted, monolithic concrete interior acts as a neutral yet powerful canvas, allowing the sculptures to reveal a narrative of presence, absence, and spatial awareness. The synergy between Gormley’s sculptural design and Ando’s architectural form challenges viewers to question humanity’s place in the natural and built worlds, a theme elaborated on in cultural discourse here.

The experience inside the dome is intentionally meditative, creating a dialogue where visitors confront the scale and materiality of both sculpture and space. This spatial choreography encourages reflection — a vital feature aligning well with the needs of modern art installations that seek to foster emotional and intellectual engagement.

• 🧍‍♂️ Key aspects of Gormley’s sculptural dialogue inside the dome:
  • Interplay between body forms and spatial voids
  • Use of cast iron to evoke permanence and mortality
  • Arrangement that prompts movement and contemplation
  • Contrast with the raw concrete environment
• Interplay between body forms and spatial voids
• Use of cast iron to evoke permanence and mortality
• Arrangement that prompts movement and contemplation
• Contrast with the raw concrete environment
• 💡 Practical implications for contemporary art:
  • Enhances visitor interaction with spatial narratives
  • Demonstrates how architecture frames artistic intent
  • Supports accessibility through minimal but effective lighting
  • Inspires curatorial strategies for immersive presentation
• Enhances visitor interaction with spatial narratives
• Demonstrates how architecture frames artistic intent
• Supports accessibility through minimal but effective lighting
• Inspires curatorial strategies for immersive presentation

By merging practical sculptural design with expert architectural intervention, the installation raises standards for how contemporary architecture and art installations collaborate. Museums and cultural institutions aiming at innovative exhibition design can learn from this integrated approach. Additional insights on the collaboration are available here.

Enhancing Visitor Experience Through Underground Design and Spatial Acoustics

The subterranean nature of the dome impacts not only visual perception but also the auditory environment. Underground design inherently provides natural sound dampening, creating a quiet sanctuary that supports focused engagement with the artworks. Sound reverberates uniquely within concrete chambers, and controlling these acoustic properties contributes significantly to the space’s meditative atmosphere.

This aspect of design aligns with emerging trends in smart tourism where auditory comfort and spatial ambiance significantly influence visitor satisfaction. Employing advanced acoustic analyses during the civil engineering phase allowed the team to minimize echo and noise pollution, facilitating an uninterrupted contemplative environment that enhances both guided and self-directed tours.

From the operational perspective, integrating subtle audio technologies can further augment visitor understanding without detracting from the minimalist aesthetic. For example, guided visits can benefit from smart audio guides utilizing location-aware content delivery, achievable through applications like Grupem (case study), which provide context-sensitive narration enhancing the interpretive experience without compromising architectural integrity.

• 🔊 Acoustic benefits of underground concrete dome design:
  • Reduced external noise interference
  • Controlled sound decay times for clear speech
  • Amplified sense of intimacy and focus
  • Enhanced mood for meditative spaces
• Reduced external noise interference
• Controlled sound decay times for clear speech
• Amplified sense of intimacy and focus
• Enhanced mood for meditative spaces
• 🛠 Practical visitor experience enhancements:
  • Integration of smart audio tech for tours
  • Use of wearable guides or mobile apps to reduce noise
  • Accessibility features for hearing-impaired visitors
  • Ambient soundscapes tailored to sculptural themes
• Integration of smart audio tech for tours
• Use of wearable guides or mobile apps to reduce noise
• Accessibility features for hearing-impaired visitors
• Ambient soundscapes tailored to sculptural themes

Contemporary Architecture’s Role in Shaping Modern Art Installations

The Ground project epitomizes how contemporary architecture can reshape the presentation and perception of modern art. By designing a space that physically immerses visitors in an environment that challenges their senses and perceptions, architects and artists alike expand the purview of what art installations can achieve.

This is increasingly significant in the context of cultural tourism, where site-specific architectural innovation attracts both art connoisseurs and general visitors. The dynamic interplay between architectural form and artistic expression fosters a multi-sensory experience, facilitating deeper emotional and intellectual engagement. This approach aligns with principles seen in exhibitions worldwide and explored through digital tools promoting smart tourism, such as the use of immersive audio guides discussed in Grupem’s resource articles.

• 🌍 Key influences of architecture on modern art exhibitions:
  • Facilitates immersive, site-specific installations
  • Provides structural and atmospheric context for artworks
  • Enables innovative lighting and spatial narratives
  • Encourages interactive and multi-sensory visitor engagement
• Facilitates immersive, site-specific installations
• Provides structural and atmospheric context for artworks
• Enables innovative lighting and spatial narratives
• Encourages interactive and multi-sensory visitor engagement
• 📈 Considerations for cultural institutions:
  • Investing in architectural innovation boosts visitor numbers
  • Incorporating technology enhances accessibility and engagement
  • Collaborative projects promote interdisciplinary creativity
  • Balancing architectural presence without overshadowing art
• Investing in architectural innovation boosts visitor numbers
• Incorporating technology enhances accessibility and engagement
• Collaborative projects promote interdisciplinary creativity
• Balancing architectural presence without overshadowing art

Exploring architectural innovation and strategic use of materials is essential for cultural organizations aiming to provide modern, accessible, and engaging visitor experiences. Consultation of similar projects such as Ando and Gormley’s collaboration enriches institutional know-how and visitor service optimization. More context is detailed here.

Best Practices for Integrating Architectural Innovation in Art Installations for Tourism

The synergy between cutting-edge architectural innovation and modern art installations presents new opportunities yet challenges cultural institutions in curation and visitor management. Applying lessons from the Ground project, professionals can optimize impact and engagement with practical strategies.

Three primary directions emerge for best practices:

• 🏗️ Collaborative Multidisciplinary Planning
  • Engage architects, artists, engineers, and curators from project inception
  • Prioritize harmonization of spatial and artistic concepts
• Engage architects, artists, engineers, and curators from project inception
• Prioritize harmonization of spatial and artistic concepts
• 🔍 Focus on Visitor-Centric Design
  • Ensure accessibility, comfort, and intuitive navigation
  • Integrate technology (e.g., smart audio guides) for enhanced storytelling
• Ensure accessibility, comfort, and intuitive navigation
• Integrate technology (e.g., smart audio guides) for enhanced storytelling
• 🌱 Sustainability and Environmental Integration
  • Choose materials and designs minimizing environmental impact
  • Embed structures thoughtfully within natural surroundings
• Choose materials and designs minimizing environmental impact
• Embed structures thoughtfully within natural surroundings

These factors contribute to a cultural offer that appeals to diverse visitor profiles, improves operational efficiencies, and supports long-term relevance. For instance, the use of mobile applications like Grupem, which converts smartphones into powerful audio guides, can transform a traditional tour into a modern, personalized experience as outlined here.

For cultural managers and event organizers, these best practices guarantee that infrastructure and content deliver an engaging, accessible experience aligned with contemporary trends. Further resources supporting such initiatives are available at Grupem’s knowledge base, available here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tadao Ando and Antony Gormley’s Underground Dome Installation