SPACE February 2025 (No. 687)
Design Competition for the New National Folk Museum of Korea in Sejong City ©G.A Architects & Associates + UIA
Last Dec. 23, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the blueprints for the relocation of the National Folk Museum of Korea in Sejong-si. It was initially planned to be relocated to the site within the Yongsan Park, when the current building of the museum located within Gyeongbokgung Palace site was to be demolished. However, due to concerns arising of the site area for the new museum being smaller than its current status, the alternative plan to relocate it within the National Museum Complex of Korea in Sejong-si gained traction in the aspects of a more balanced national development for this design competition. The winning entry turned out to be ‘The Vibrant Announcing the Winners of Three Design Competitions by Lee Sowoon National Folk Museum of Korea’ by G.A Architects & Associates (co-principals, Kim Yong Mi, Lee Seok Beom, Park So Hyeong) and UIA (principal, Wee Jinbok). The winning design features a dispersed arrangement of various volumes that are aligned with the purpose and character of space. These volumes are combined at the ground level, ensuring easy access of visitors from all directions. The National Folk Museum of Korea will be developed with a total budget of 195.5 billion KRW, covering a total floor area of 23,473m², with completion targeted for 2031.
