Korean Housing and Architectural Discourse: A Cross-Cultural Diagnosis and the Quest for Alternatives

 

SPACE Academia – an architectural theory research forum overseen by the monthly journal SPACE (listed on A&HCI) – opened its call for papers and proposals for special issues in February 2025. Now, SPACE Academia announces its second research theme: we invite all researchers to open up new horizons in the study of architecture and urbanism.

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What Architecture Should Do: KYWC Architects

 

What does an architect explore? This question is always close to me. The Post-Impressionist painter Cézanne explored the essence of painting through his countless still lifes. Of the many elements contemplated in a painting – light and shadow, perspective, composition, and contour – he revealed what could remain and what could be omitted in order to express the existence of objects truthfully. My attitude towards architecture can be said to be similar. I explore what can remain and what can be omitted in order to be truthful to the forms of life that architecture constructs. This does not mean architectural minimalism. Rather than pursuing ¡®what must be done minimally¡¯, I aim for ¡®what ought to be done¡¯. I believe this is both the work and the primary ethical choice of the architect.

 

After opening my office, I did not work on a public architecture project until 2024; I worked 100% on private-sector projects. The decisive turning point was when I was commissioned to remodel the design studios at CNU, where I currently teach. It wasn¡¯t technically a public architecture project, but from my perspective, It felt like working for over 100 clients. When working on private projects, I feel happy if an individual client is satisfied. But in this case, I completed one project and more than a hundred people appreciated it. That made me want to create architecture for more people.

 

The Vieworks Hwaseong Site combines production, relaxation, and work spaces. Through a two-phase process of new construction and expansion, the project sought to support the company¡¯s growth and enhance employee resilience by attending to the surrounding suburban nature. The building¡¯s layout, scale, and form had all been determined from the beginning with expansion in mind. Phase 1 allocates lower levels for production and upper floors for office space. By separating the space for equipment and the space for its users, the factory wing was placed at the front facing the industrial complex, while the office wing was positioned at the rear with a better view.