SPACE November 2024 (No. 684)
For this OPINION, we sought the opinions of experts in architecture and related fields, focusing on design competitions, which are the primary method of selecting architects and architectural proposals for public cultural facilities in Korea. The responses have been excerpted and edited to the extent that they do not stray the intentions of the original text.
Participants
Kim Ahyeon professor, University of Seoul
Kim Hyunsu co-principal, eSou Architects
Nam Sangmoon principal, DAYPLACE
Maing Pilsoo professor, Seoul National University
Yoon Geunju co-principal, 1990 urban architecture office
Lee Jeonghoon principal, JOHO Architecture
Lee Chihoon partner, SoA
Yim Dongwoo professor, Hongik University
Lim Sunghun professor, Tongmyong University
Cho Namho principal, Soltozibin Architects
Cho Jaewon principal, 0_1 Studio
Zo Hangman professor, Seoul National University
Hwang Doojin principal, Doojin Hwang Architects
Q5.
What should be prioritised in the design of public cultural spaces today?
Kim Ahyeon Whenever I go to consultation meetings related to urban design or architecture, I am often surprised how there is a general lack of concern for global crisis. Climate crisis is real, and our generation is bound to address global issues. We need to consider alternative sustainable cultural discourses in all fields that deal seriously with space.
Cho Jaewon Within this summer alone there have been multiple reports of natural disasters related to climate crisis across the globe. The architectural design of one site is urban design that will last for 10 or even 100 years. Therefore, all public architecture regardless of its location or programme must be guided by a basic principle and awareness regarding the dangers of climate crisis. The necessity and validity of adding not just buildings but new urban public cultural spaces must be discussed and examined from the perspective of responsive urban transformation in climate crisis. When I observe the recent design competitions for public cultural spaces in Seoul, I wonder if it is just me, but everyone seems quite indifferent as though there is a second earth that we can move to if needed.
Maing Pilsoo I hope that there will be more cases like the Gusan-dong Village Library which prioritised discussions between local residents and local governments regarding the significance, location, and role of a local library before the competition and fostered a local community that continues to operate and care for the library even today.
Lee Chihoon The core value of an urban architectural space produced by the public is...
