[10 Years of Design Competitions, 30 Public Architecture Selections] Jochiwon Cultural Garden

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. 

©EMA Architects & Associates 

©texture on texture 

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: The Jochiwon Cultural Garden was well-received for preserving its original facility through the concept of cultural dan (altar) while focusing on the placement of core functions to the central block to capture a wide spectrum of meanings and the composition of the building. It was positively reviewed for integrating the exterior space with a circulating flow and its presentation of water space via the use of the original water path. It was selected in the competition for its strategic design vision that proposed a high-quality public architecture design despite the difficulty of remodeling and limited construction costs, and the proposed design did not change much during the planning stage. The client respected the competition’s result and acted as a discussion partner when contemplating feasibility, and the construction contractor was selected via bidding also collaborated actively with the designer as part of the Implementation of Design Intentions Contract. In addition, the client established the project and its building plan in detail as part of the regional revitalisation project.

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

A2: In many local governments, such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, public projects are usually integrated and handed over to a specially dedicated department that oversees the organisation of design competitions. As most public project clients do not possess architectural expertise, the design competition process is sometimes organised by another separate department and — once the winner is selected — a public architecture manager is elected and put in charge. In this vein, we may also consider installing a systematic management and institution that can integrate the design competition organisations per local government unit, overseeing the jury’s professionality and fairness, and enhancing the links between competition registration and submission.​

2017 general design competition​

Architect  

EMA Architects & Associates (Lee Eunkyung)

Location  

Pyeong-ri, Jochiwon-eup, Sejong-si

Programme  

culture and assembly facility (exhibition), neighbourhood living facility, mechanical facility

Gross floor area  

554.1m²

Design cost  

budget –  174 million KRW / actual cost – 233.1 million KRW

Construction cost  

budget –  2.55 billion KRW / actual cost – 3.743 billion KRW

Competition year  

Nov. 2017

Completion year  

July 2019

Client  

Sejong City

Prize  

The Good Place Award (2019), Public Architecture Awards of Korea (2019)​