Seoul Just Built Wing-Shaped Shelters That Survive Typhoons - Yanko Design

"There's something undeniably elegant about watching how birds move through the air, wings spread wide and catching the wind with effortless grace. BKID Co took that natural brilliance and translated it into something Seoul's parks desperately needed: shade structures that look stunning and can actually stand up to a typhoon. The Seoul Wing project isn't your average park canopy. Sure, we've all huddled under those generic metal shelters that look like they were ordered from the same catalog every city uses."

"The secret lies in that polyurethane mesh structure. It's the kind of material innovation that doesn't get enough attention because it's not flashy, but it's absolutely critical. Traditional shade structures either use heavy solid panels that require serious engineering support, or lighter fabrics that tear apart in strong winds. This mesh strikes that perfect middle ground. It's resilient enough to flex during a storm rather than fighting against the wind, which is exactly what makes bird wings so effective during turbulent flight."

"What makes this design particularly clever is how BKID solved multiple problems at once. Anyone who's tried to design outdoor structures knows the challenge: make it light enough to install without massive equipment, strong enough to survive extreme weather, and attractive enough that people actually want to use it. Most designers pick two out of three. BKID managed all of them."

BKID Co designed Seoul Wing as a sculptural park canopy inspired by bird wings, using overlapping panels that mimic feathers and create kinetic visual flow. The design pairs aesthetic ambition with practical engineering by employing a polyurethane mesh that balances lightness, strength, and resilience. The mesh flexes in high winds instead of tearing or requiring heavy reinforcement, allowing the structures to withstand typhoon conditions. The modular system enables rapid installation using straightforward tools without cranes, minimizing disruption in parks. The result is an attractive, durable shade solution that meets installation, performance, and user-appeal goals simultaneously.

Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News