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What kind of structures were awarded of at the 2022 Seoul Architecture Awards?

Every year since 1979, the Seoul Architecture Awards have recognized city structures that boast aesthetic beauty and technological advancement while also adding to the richness of life for locals and residents alike. This award signifies not only the discovery of new and beautiful structures, but also points to the need to continually build spaces in the city that are public-friendly.

So, what kinds of structures have been awarded, and how are public-friendly spaces being created?

This year, various structures displaying an outstanding beauty while maintaining a sort of public benefit for the local community received award recognition as part of the 40^th Seoul Architecture Awards. And for our first episode of the Seoul Architecture Tour series, we're going to take an up-close look at a couple of those winners currently open to the public, including the Kim Geun-tae Memorial Library (first prize winner & recipient of the Citizen Appreciation Special Award) and the Jungnang Mang-u Space (second prize winner & recipient of the Citizen Appreciation Special Award).

Larchiveum : Embraces Nature with Open Arms

#SeoulArchitectureAwards #FirstPrize #KimGeuntaeMemorialLibrary-Archives

The ‘Kim Geun-tae Memorial Library-Archives’, which is located at the corner of the way going to Bukhansan National Park, nearby Dobongsan Mountain, is a public space open for both residents and trekkers hiking through the area. As a larchiveum, Kim Geun-tae Memorial Library-Archives, functions as a library for reading, as well as a museum conveying stories of democracy and human rights, and an art gallery for appreciating the arts.

*Larchiveum : A combination of the words "library", "archive", and "museum", meaning a culture complex serving as a library, archive, and a museum.

The exterior of the ‘Kim Geun-tae Memorial Library-Archives’ is comprised of a wide glass windows installed within a gridded concrete wall that faces the road. These windows play a role of connecting the interior and exterior by welcoming in the sunlight and the natural scenery outdoors. The concrete wall around the glass protrudes from the building, and since it is stacked in several layers like dominos, it creates a three-dimensional effect while looking differently depending on the angle from which the building is viewed.

Largely, the two buildings of the library are connected by a bridge. Audiences and visitors are then able to enjoy the space using the route circulating inside. A ‘courtyard’ naturally formed at the center once the two building were bridged together. It’s the most spacious area of the Kim Geun-tae Memorial Library-Archives. The roofless courtyard also allows sunlight to come in and the wind to blow through, seemingly expanding the library grounds beyond the building walls. Just as found in a library and an art gallery, the installation work is located at the center like a symbol.

* Courtyard :  An open area enclosed by building walls.

When you get to rooftop space called ‘sanbaramgil (way of the mountain wind), the sweeping panoramic view of Bukhansan Mountain without any obstacles in sight. Like the name itself, it’s as fresh as the wind blowing throughout the mountainside. The stairs connecting the rooftop to the terrace on the lower floor serve as both, a passage to move around, as well as a multipurpose space. Despite the area having yet been opened, it is set to be used as a venue for future performances and events, creating a unique cultural space with the natural backdrop of the mountains.

Address              14 Dobogsan-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul

Operation Hours  Daily 09:00 ~ 20:00 KST, Weekends 09:00 ~ 17:00 KST (Closed Mondays and legal holiday)

Bridging Together History, Nature, and People

#SeoulArchitectureAwards #AwardWinning #CitizenAppreciationSpecialAward #JungnangManguSpace

After Manguri closed in 1973 which was used as a cemetery for a long time, it was reborn as the Mang-U History & Culture Park to honor the activists that gave their lives during Korea's independence movement. Now, the graves of activists Yu Gwan-sun, Han Yong-un, Ahn Chang-ho and Bang Jeong-hwan, who partook in Korea's resistance to foreign occupation by way of writing novels, poetry, or through religion, are enshrined. The Jungnang Mang-u Space essentially serves as, a place of meditation newly created to honor the sacrifices of these historic figures while walking amid the calm nature of Mangusan Mountain.

Spanning across the foot of Mangusan Mountain, Jungnang Mang-u Space forms concise and straight lines made from the roof, pillars, and the wall surface. Colonnades of these elongated straight lines stand in a row, evenly spaced, creating a sort of monotonous rhythm. The area of a colonnade establishes a space that is seemingly both indoors and outdoors while acting as a central location that welcomes visitors. The light and shadows cast on the colorless concrete and metal wall surface add to the overall flow and design of the building's structure.

* Colonnade : Pillars that stand in a row that support a roof or other structure above.

The two masses that appear to be sitting within the space of the colonnades are where programs are held. The first being an management building that deals in keeping the grounds of gravesites and holding memorial services; while the second being an exhibition building where the works of literary people enshrined in Manguri are on display. The second floor of the two masses, which is made of glass on all sides, is naturally fused with the surroundings as the landscape reflects from the glass windows rather than revealing its architecture.

* Mass : A term used to differentiate the space of a structure.

Jungnang Mang-u Space is designed conveying a calm atmosphere that matches well with the memorial area, yet offers up a dynamic ambiance as well. According to the time of day, light and shadows are cast over the shallow pool of water at the center. The ripples over the surface of the water that sway on the building's surface due to the reflected light, add a sense of vitality to the seren space. That calm swaying created from the light and shadows as nature sits silently invoke a feeling of ease that frees your mind from complicated thoughts.

Address              2, Mangu-ro 91-gil, Jungnang-gu, Seoul

Operation Hours  Daily 09:00 ~ 18:00 KST (Closed weekends), Café : Daily 08:00 ~ 20:00 KST