[10 Years of Design Competitions, 30 Public Architecture Selections] Oil Tank Culture Park

SPACE November 2023 (No. 672) 

10 years have passed since the design competition system was overhauled as a consequence of the Act On The Promotion Of Building Service Industry. As multiple adjustments and corrections have been made over time to the operation of design competitions, the system has given birth to numerous selections that populate our surroundings today. If these winning designs, which were born out of the creative struggles of individual designers in their respective times and places under the aegis of ‘good public architecture’, were to be assembled in a single space, what would stand out? SPACE have selected 30 distinguished examples of public architecture that have been recognised by the architectural scene over the past 10 years. We compared images of the winning designs and their results, and interviewed the architects. Our selection criteria was primarily based on being honoured with selection, but we also wanted to offer as diverse an outlook as possible according to type and year of competition, ordering institution, and use or function, to offer a wide spectrum of examples. When it came to public residences, we decided not to feature them in this article as they are a unique breed in terms of scale and programme. By reviewing all stages, from planning, examination, selection, and the post-construction phases, and after hearing from those responsible for them about the obstacles that they faced on their journey towards good public architecture, we hope that the testimonies of these people who witnessed the various aspects of the design competition system will give us a sense of continued direction as to where we should be heading in the next 10 years.

​©Heo Seogoo + RoA architects 

©Namgoong Sun 

Q1: From the design competition to construction, what was the main task when it came to the completion of your project? In which areas do you think your project did well, and what made this possible?

A1: Our project was positively reviewed as an ‘archaeology of architecture’ which focuses on the memory of space, an ‘architecture of time’ that connects the past, present, and future through architecture, and an ‘architecture of place’ that rediscovers the land’s potential through a very simple design conceit. We were able to maximise the site’s given potential by keeping the design interventions to a minimum. A coherent vision was realised from the early planning phase to the application of construction details, and thus the high level of completion that is hard to find in recent works of public architecture could be achieved. It was thanks to many collaborators including the master planner who organised the competition and consultation meetings to push for the realisation of the selected design and the Seoul Metropolitan Government as the executing party, and the active and spontaneous participation by the designer that led to continuous sharing of opinions and implementations throughout the entire construction process that allowed this project to become successful.

Q2: What suggestions would you make to improve the way design competitions are conducted in Korea?

A2: As sports commentators say that a ‘wrong judgment is also a part of a match,’ we should also accept certain misjudgments from a jury as part of a design competition. However, judging of design competitions, unlike sports events, are not conducted in the view of many people. Even if it comes with the cost of controversy or difficulties in terms of implementation, I believe that fairness should be established via the full disclosure of the judging process.

2014 international general design competition​​

Architect  

Heo Seogoo + RoA architects

Location  

87, Jeungsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Programme  

culture and assembly facility

Gross floor area

8,100m²

Design cost  

budget –  1.59 billion KRW / actual cost – 2 billion KRW

Construction cost  

budget –  28.29 billion KRW / actual cost – 32.66 billion KRW

Competition year  

Aug. 2014

Completion year  

Sep. 2017

Client  

Seoul Metropolitan Government

Prize  

Korean Institute of Architects Awards (2018), ARCASIA Awards for Architecture (2018), Korean Architecture Award (2019), Seoul Architecture Awards (2019)​