Korean Cultural Center

Situated mid-block between Park and Lexington Avenues, a few blocks from the heart of growing K-Town, a mix of cultural and community spaces will stretch across the seven-floor building. Lying at the junction of Koreatown, NoMad, and Murray Hill, the new 33,000-square-foot Korean Cultural Center building features a beautiful, multi-layered façade some 120 feet high.

Smarcon was brought on to the Korean Culture Center project as the coordinators. We joined  later on in the construction process and were asked to create coordinated drawings, including all MEP systems. Accessing BIM technology, we transformed existing drawings from all contractors into one comprehensive model which highlighted all major clashes between trades. Updated information and planning were communicated to the project team through weekly meetings, where solutions were found and a course of action was set. 

A crucial area of importance on this project was the shaft.  One main shaft was used to fit large ducts, conduit and pipes throughout the entire 9 floors of the building. Shop drawings provided to Smarcon prior to coordination posed many issues within the shaft. Utilizing the 3D model along with our industry knowledge, we devised a method to properly align and fit each system into the shaft while allowing all to enter and exit on each floor. The end product included coordinated drawings delivered to the project team, as well as individual shop drawings by trade sent to contractors. Throughout the install process, Smarcon provided additional support when needed by using the model to solve unforeseen issues. 

Uniquely beautiful, the Korean Center’s competition-winning design was brought to reality with the visual precision of BIM 3D modeling and the hands-on Smarcon team support.