Sign up for VMSPACE, Korea's best architecture online magazine.
Login Join
menu
ENG

Marvelling at Voluntary Structural Experiments: The Torch | Kim Jaekyung + JK-AR

Kim Jaekyung, Park Jaeyoo

photographed by
Roh Kyung (unless otherwise indicated)
materials provided by
JK-AR
edited by
Kim Bokyoung
background

SPACE October 2025 (No. 695) 

 

©Kwon Bojune 

 

 

Rising within the dramatic landscape of the UNESCO Global Geopark Hantangang, this observatory embodies both architectural experimentation and Hantangang River’s environmental context. Standing at 55 metres tall, the structure employs a hybrid system of steel and tension cables, inheriting the tradition of hyperboloid forms while transforming them into an irregular geometry that establishes a distinct architectural language. The gradual shift from circular to elliptical sectio...

 
*You can see more information on the SPACE No. October (2025).
*Subscribers can browse through E-Magazine right now. >> Available Here

Architect

Kim Jaekyung (Hanyang University), Park Jaeyoo (JU

Design team

Lee Jongseung (JK-AR), Lee Seogoo (JU Architects)

Location

653-3, Galmal-ro, Galmal-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwo

Programme

tourist rest facilitiy (observation tower)

Site area

955㎡

Building area

297.3㎡

Gross floor area

84.58㎡

Building scope

2F

Height

52.1m

Building to land ratio

31.13%

Floor area ratio

8.85%

Structure

steel frame, cable structure

Exterior finishing

ceramic coating, expanded metal, galvanised patter

Interior finishing

galvanised patterned sheet, porcelain tile floorin

Structural engineer

CK structural engineering (Lee Changhee)

Mechanical engineer

Charim (Kim Jonghwan)

Electrical engineer

Highplan (Kim Myunghee)

Construction

COSPI (Ahn Seunghwan), Ganghyun Construction Co.

Design period

Mar. 2021 – Sep. 2022

Construction period

Sep. 2022 – Nov. 2024

Cost

6.5 billion KRW

Client

Cheorwon County

Kim Jaekyung
Kim Jaekyung combines research, teaching, and design practice to develop an architectural approach that merges tradition with contemporary technology. As founder of JK-AR, he has completed projects such as House of Three Trees (2019), Pavilion of Floating Lights (2022), and House for Rejuvenation (2025) . At Hanyang University’s CoDe Lab, he promotes digital craftsmanship and has supervised over 50 master’s and doctoral graduates.
FRAME project The Torch Kim Jaekyung JK-AR Park Jaeyoo JU Architects Cheorwon Hantangang River hyperboloid form steel structure tension cable Torch Observatory
LIST

COMMENTS

Please Login.