Gangdong-gu (Mayor: Lee Hae-sik) will open its newly renovated main building at 10:30 a.m. on the 25th at the “Completion ceremony for the remodeling of an environment-friendly and energy saving Gangdong-gu Office.” It has been forty years since the government office building was completed in 1979. 

 As an old structure completed forty years ago in 1979, there were issues regarding the safety of the main building as well as insulation efficiency that made the building a poor working environment for staff members. Gangdong-gu made plans for building remodeling last July and completed the construction within one year. The Gangdong-gu Office has been reborn as a sturdier, safer and highly efficient new structure.

 First, the government office building square is open as a citizen square.
 Approximately 2.5 billion won was invested in the Gangdong-gu Office square landscape that was formerly used as a parking lot to create a grass square, wall fountain, community garden and gallery garden. ▲ The Gangdong-gu Office square that was once a parking lot was transformed into the grass square, the “open garden,” which has an area of 1,300 m2 (393 pyeong) and is anticipated to be used as an event location for recreation, culture and gatherings by citizens. ▲ In front of the eastern open garden is the “specialized garden (community garden)” that citizens can use as a meeting place. ▲ To the west in the “gallery garden” is a space of publicity, exhibition and information sharing with citizens. A shade shelter was installed under the zelkova trees.

 Second, there has been an increase in the efficiency of energy use at the government office building.
 Gangdong-gu secured the safety of the office building by investing a total of 6.7 billion won in construction costs to complete earthquake-resistant reinforcements. A solar power generator system was installed on the outer wall of the building and ventilation equipment for heat recovery was set up, examples of how the construction process focused on energy use efficiency.
 On the exterior of the building 150 mm panel foam insulation is applied and there are low-e glass coatings on insulated aluminum windows and doors to reduce both interior and exterior heating and cooling costs by 20% when compared with the existing costs.

Third, the interior facility has been improved to be simpler.
▲ The office daycare center that was previously located in the Seongnae 1 annex was expanded and moved to the first floor. ▲ The Civil Service & Passport Division and the Real Estate Information Division were combined and the lobby was expanded to maximize the utilization of space in the government office building.
▲The existing elevator for the disabled and ramp were newly replaced to improve the approachability of the government office building for the disabled. ▲ A pleasant environment was created in the government office building through interior construction of a public lobby and main auditorium.

 Fourth, the surrounding government office building areas were expanded for citizens to walk on.
 The narrow and uncomfortable passageways in the building vicinity were widened with diverse flower and wooded arrangements to create a walking course around the government office building for citizens to use for their convenience and enjoyment. This course has proved to be popular among the visiting public and staff members as well as residents of the nearby Seongnae-dong.

 This completion ceremony will consist of ▲ a pre-meal performance, ▲ introduction of guests, ▲ progress report, ▲ commendation of persons of merit, ▲ greeting by the Gangdong-gu mayor, ▲ congratulatory speeches by guests, ▲ tape cutting and commemorative photographing.

 Gangdong-gu held a completion ceremony last September to celebrate the transfer of the Gangdong-gu police station building and its remodeling as Gangdong-gu Office’s second government office building.

 Mayor Lee Hae-sik commented, “We believe that the remodeling of the Gangdong-gu government office building will allow it to become a public government office building for citizens to conveniently visit and utilize. We also expect an improvement in staff work efficiency and reduction of energy use,” and “We will offer the best administrative services as an open government office building that is with the citizens on the foundation of a pleasant environment.”

<Related Photos>