Demonstrates the value of public cultural spaces through collaboration among POSCO, POSCO E&C and POSCO A&C

POSCO A&C, which designed Park1538 Gwangyang, won the Platinum Award—the highest honor—at the prestigious international design competition A’ Design Award & Competition 2026, held in Como, Italy, on July 16.

▲ POSCO A&C won the Platinum Award at the international design competition A’ Design Award & Competition 2026 on July 16 for its design of Park1538 Gwangyang.

The A’ Design Award is an international design competition that recognizes outstanding designs from around the world. Held annually, it covers a wide range of fields, including product design, architecture, interior design, graphic design and fashion. This year’s competition was judged by a panel of 318 judges from 41 countries. Along with the Red Dot and iF Design Award, it is considered one of the world’s most influential international awards in design and innovation.

The Platinum Award is the competition’s highest honor, presented to works recognized for outstanding design quality, innovation and social impact. Park1538 Gwangyang received high marks for expressing the identity of the industrial city of Gwangyang as a public cultural space and integrating architecture, structure, technology and art within a single space.

Park1538 Gwangyang is a multipurpose cultural space operated by POSCO. POSCO A&C carried out the detailed design, while POSCO E&C handled the construction. The award is particularly meaningful as it recognizes the results of collaboration among POSCO group companies—from planning and design to construction and operation—on the global stage.

The name Park1538 Gwangyang combines “park,” meaning an open space without walls, and 1,538 degrees Celsius, the melting point of iron. By using iron—the symbol of the industrial city of Gwangyang—as a material for a new spatial experience, the project has been developed into a cultural space enjoyed by citizens and the local community.

▲ The exterior of Park1538 Gwangyang features a curved rib structure.

The building’s most distinctive feature is the curved rib structure* that wraps around the building. Beyond serving as an exterior element, the ribs also define the building’s structure, envelope and spatial framework. The vertical ribs, each with a different curvature and inclination, architecturally express the strength and flexibility of iron.

*Rib structure: An architectural structure in which reinforcing members, arranged at regular intervals like a skeleton or rib cage, support the structure and distribute loads.

A large mass* was placed above the lower level of the exhibition hall using a cantilever structure**. This creates both structural tension and a sense of openness. Approximately 4,400 tons of steel were used in the building, including POSCO’s premium structural steel product PosMAC.

*Large mass: A three-dimensional architectural element or spatial unit that is large in scale and perceived as a single solid volume.

**Cantilever structure: A structure fixed and supported at only one end, with the other end projecting into the air. It allows a space to be extended without columns or walls.

Public art elements are incorporated throughout the space. In collaboration with the Maintenance Technology Department at POSCO Gwangyang Works, POSCO repurposed crusher balls from the steelworks as planters. The front plaza also features Smart Light, a work by German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth.

▲ Park1538 Gwangyang reflects the concepts of waves of light and waves of nature.

The concept of waves of light, inspired by Gwangyang’s urban image, and the landscape concept of waves of nature are reflected throughout the space. The lower level was opened up to create a plaza-like public area, with an art museum, rooftop garden and Grand Stair. The project was also recognized for its high level of completion as a multipurpose cultural space where industrial facilities coexist with nature, art and education.

The award has drawn attention to Park1538 Gwangyang as an example of transforming an industrial facility into a cultural space open to citizens, rather than simply a corporate promotional venue. Its international recognition reflects the project’s ability to express the material qualities of iron and the identity of the local community through architecture, while harmoniously incorporating the technological expertise and spatial planning capabilities of POSCO group companies.

Park1538 Gwangyang currently operates a promotional hall and art museum, both of which offer free admission. Visitors can make reservations through the official website up to three days before their visit, while the outdoor spaces are open to the public without a reservation. Park1538 Gwangyang will continue to serve as an open cultural space that engages with and contributes to the local community.

If you have, think again!

POSCO, Korea’s largest steelmaker, has been making great efforts to be one of the best places to work for women. It may come as a bit of a surprise to those of you who may have thought the steel industry was a “boys-only” club, but POSCO is actually leading efforts to improve policies for supporting women employees and being a family-friendly place to work. Let’s explore the ways POSCO does this.

Pictured here: Women’s Mentoring workshop held for POSCO female employees

POSCO have been increasing the ratio of women hires every year. In fact, since 2008, there has annually been a 10% increase in women staff.

To making life easier for working moms, POSCO has many offerings such as childcare centers within the office and mentoring programs. These programs have been put in place to make work life balance easier and also to make career advancements possible without having to give up family.

POSCO solution 1: Reduced pressure on pregnancy and childcare through maternity leave benefits, flexible office hours and daycare support

Pictured here: The revamped POSCO daycare center within POSCO Center in Seoul

Women employees at POSCO can use ‘childcare leave’ for two years (one year legally guaranteed, plus one additional year). They can also request for flexible office hours to only work 15-30 hours per week. POSCO has made it clear that maternity leave will not negatively affect promotion opportunities or performance rating.

Furthermore, since 2006, POSCO has created childcare centers in offices at Pohang, Gwangyang and Seoul, in order to support employees with children. POSCO has continuously expanded capacities for childcare centers as demand grew. The facilities have helped POSCO employees not be held back on family planning by creating a space at work for working mothers to take a break and also care for children during the daytime while on the job.

POSCO solution 2: Created programs to help promote vision for women and advancement in the workplace

Pictured here: W-Leadership program started in 2013 to create a space where women can discuss leadership tips and career advancement issues

POSCO is operating various mentoring programs to promote the advancement of women in the workplace.

From 2011, POSCO has launched a ‘Women’s Mentoring Day’ held during lunch. This program includes lectures and discussions on topics such as ‘work-home balance’, ‘career development for women’ and ‘leadership coaching’. The ‘W-Leadership program’ launched in 2013 so that women employees could come together to discuss shared issues that they face such as career advancement dilemmas when it comes to leadership roles, childcare and career development.

Pictured here: Workshop for women employees to come together to network and share information for career development

POSCO solution 3: Established programs for the entire family

POSCO promotes work life balance by providing environments that are beneficial to the entire family.

Pictured here: Weekend program held for families of POSCO employees

For working moms that cannot spend as much time with family as they want, POSCO has launched family weekend programs called “POREKA” since 2012 where external instructors come to teach programs such as art, classic music and art therapy.

In addition, in case of family sickness or accidents, POSCO allows employees up to 90 days of “Family-related leave”. For these efforts and more, POSCO has been recognized as a family-friendly company in 2011 and acknowledged by the Ministry of Gender Equality.

POSCO solution 4: Opened opportunities for married women

POSCO has proactively created opportunities for women who may have had a lapse in their career due to childbirth, childcare and housework. In 2007, POSCO was the first major conglomerate to hire married women as entry level employees. Since then, POSCO has continued to open up opportunities for married women and is making efforts to create a happy workplace that allows women to pursue career development.

Pictured here: Three of POSCO’s energetic female employees

Has your stereotype of steelmakers changed since reading our post? For all the women out there, don’t give up on your dreams for pursuing a career!

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About POSCO’s 1st Female Executive, Eunjoo Choi of POSCO A&C

“If women remain silent, there will inevitably be a glass ceiling. Though it may be difficult, women in various industries must make a move to break it.” – Eunjoo Choi, POSCO’s 1st Female Executive at POSCO A&C

Eunjoo Choi, executive at POSCO A&C, has a broad range of experience in finance and investments, as well as, business strategy. She decided to apply to POSCO back in 1990 when she came across a newspaper ad for a female position at POSCO. Below are her 3 tips for success.

1)    Use your morning time wisely: If you start earlier than others, your day will be much longer and productive. Take advantage of your mornings to make time to focus on your responsibilities!

2)    Go out with your colleagues: As you go up in hierarchy, competition increases so it is possible that colleagues will become competitors. However, this should not be in the case. Try to always be sincere and share with colleagues.

3)    Listen to others for answers: A key strength for women is their capability for ‘tolerance’ and ‘empathy’. If you take the time to listen to others, it is likely you will find a better alternative.

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