SPACE January 2026 (No. 698)
Winning proposal of International Invited Design Competition for the Wood Community Center in Jinbatgol Wood-Friendly City ©Kengo Kuma & Associates + Leehong Kim Architects
On Nov. 18, the Daegu Metropolitan City Suseong-gu Office announced the winning proposal for the International Invited Design Competition for the Wood Community Center in Jinbatgol Wood-Friendly City. The winning team was Kengo Kuma & Associates (Principal, Kuma Kengo) in collaboration with Leehong Kim Architects (Principal, Kim Leehong). Kuma Kengo and Kim Leehong prioritised creating a public building that remains visually open from the outside while offering unbroken views of the surrounding natural landscape from within. They explained, ‘From the pedestrian’s viewpoint, the building was designed to minimise its height and visual presence as much as possible, fostering a sense of familiarity rather than intimidation. We tried to express the essence of ‘wood’ throughout the building and capture the attention of passersby with a distinctive façade composed of wooden panels that preserve the natural curves and textures of bark. Inside, a lattice-structured timber framework is exposed at the ceiling, creating the sensation of experiencing both the exterior and interior of a single tree at once.’ The site presented challlenging conditions, with steep slopes and a narrow, low-lying southern area that is highly exposed but difficult to use. The architects noted, ‘We wanted to actively engage the southern face, which could easily have been neglected, by placing the most public programmes such as the book café and garden there, creating a cosy space embraced by the surrounding nature that draws people inside. The main wood lounge is positioned on the first floor so that pedestrians ascending the slope can easily recognise it. A skip-floor was adapted to the terrain, organising the entire building into one continuous, interconnected space spanning multiple levels. The project’s main design intention was ‘to position the building as the starting point of the Jinbatgol hiking trail, as well as the entrance to the Jinbatgol complex leading to the youth training centre and forest experience facilities located behind the site’. Architects noted that the proposal was well received for ‘its considered approach to the larger site context, the open and inviting character suitable for a public building, the terrraced massing that harmonises with the steep topography and surrounding mountains, and the unique design of the wooden façade.’
