Sign up for VMSPACE, Korea's best architecture online magazine.

Login Join


CRITIQUE | The Appropriateness of Architecture | GUBO Architects + Hong Jihak

written by
Shin Hosoub, Shin Kyungmi
photographed by
texture on texture (unless otherwise indicated)
materials provided by
GUBO Architects
edited by
Bang Yukyung

SPACE April 2024 (No. 677) 

 

©Roh Kyung 

 

The four recent works explored with Cho Yoonhee (principal, GUBO Architects) and Hong Jihak (professor, Chungnam National University) for this FRAME are all located in different urban contexts within Seoul. Although they are quite different in terms of their uses and zoning, they all take on different expressions in their locations, creating unique scenes within our city¡¯s everyday spaces. Their works seem to have stood there for a long time, but the new framework of relationships that has been meticulously and intelligently constructed by the two architects (hereinafter GUBO) reveals the possibility of creating change by slowly interacting with one¡¯s surroundings. All of the projects have clearly resulted from sustained thought and practice aimed at a good architectural solution for the given conditions and at solid construction using everyday materials. Completed with clever strategic thinking and sincerity, their works quietly set a new benchmark for this corner of the city. GUBO¡¯s direction is clear, as implied by the fact that they came close to naming their office ¡®Appropriate Architecture¡¯. Appropriateness, which means ¡®the quality of being suitable or proper in the circumstances¡¯ provides a clue to understanding the tone and achievements of their work. Let¡¯s note that it defines a relative value, not an absolute value, with a reference point. 

 

¡Ø​You can read the full article with more information on the SPACE No. April (2024).

 

​Ichon Coworking Office before remodeling ©Roh Kyung

Ichon Coworking Office after remodeling ©Roh Kyung​


 

Won Buddhism Yeoksam Temple before remodeling

Won Buddhism Yeoksam Temple after remodeling

 

 

You can see more information on the SPACE No. April (2024).


Shin Kyungmi
Shin Kyungmi spent her middle and high school years in France and completed her master¡¯s programme at Ecole d¡¯architecture de la ville & des territoires à Marne-la-vallée and received the French National Certified Architect (HMONP). She has experienced complex practices ranging from exhibition design to residential projects in Paris and Seoul. In 2010, she co-founded SHIN architects with Shin Hosoub, and has been carrying out works of various scales through rational and emotional thinking. She taught at the University of Seoul, and is exploring various possibilities of architecture while continuously exploring collaboration with other fields.
Shin Hosoub
Shin Hosoub studied architecture at the department of architectural engineering at Korea University and at Ecole d¡¯architecture de la ville & des territoires à Marne-la-vallée, France. He is an architect DPLG and Korean registered architect. After experiencing and working on various projects in Paris and Korea, he co-founded SHIN architects with Shin Kyungmi in 2010. He has been carrying out interesting works that address various issues for mutually communicative and sustainable architecture from an integrated perspective. He is an adjunct professor in the department of architecture at Korea University, and he has sincerely fulfilled various roles of an architect required in public architecture.

COMMENTS