[10 Years of Design Competitions, 30 Public Architecture Selections] Magok Fire Station

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. 

©Office Kyuhng 

©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 design attracted attention at the design competition for offering a clear architectural presentation of the ‘watch tower’ concept, which seeks to promote safety in the local community. It was also positively reviewed for the terrace facing the adjacent park, not only for its utility but also as a well-designed architectural façade element in a public facility. It was an example of how a public-facing facility such as a fire station, which is usually unidirectional, can also be designed as a building that actively communicates with the urban context. This was made possible because the designer’s intentions remained in place right up to completion, and this was workable as they stuck to using easily graspable explanations and concepts and translated them into appropriate architectural vocabulary. Moreover, the approach to handling problems during the construction phase via close discussion with the client, architect, and construction contractors and seeking resolution via design was effective. As the designer was involved in the supervision itself, these were all institutionally supported.

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

A2: As interpretation of the programme, site, and the design can differ between architects, a wide range of approaches must be sufficiently compared and evaluated by a jury. Most importantly, institutional arrangements to secure an even distribution of regional and practicing architects and academic professors in the jury must also be made. Moreover, until the final completion of the building, there needs to be a more effective institutional arrangement than the present Implementation of Design Intentions System, so that the designer can actively abide by its tenets until construction. This will not only help the design to be realised faithfully well into construction but also to motivate the designer to think more deeply about design feasibility.​

2018 invited design competition

Architect  

Office Kyuhng (Kwon Kyoungeun)

Location  

9, Magokseo-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul

Programme  

public office facility (fire station)

Gross floor area  

880.62m²

Design cost  

budget –  85.55 million KRW / actual cost – 90.4 million KRW

Construction cost  

budget –  1.953 billion KRW / actual cost – 2.081 billion KRW

Competition year  

Apr. 2018

Completion year  

Oct. 2019

Client  

Gangseo Fire Station 

Prize  

Seoul Architecture Awards (2021)​​