November 3, 2007
The presentation
traces the development of contemporary architecture in Korea starting
with a survey of early group of western style buildings going back to
the last decade of the 19th century, up to the end of the
Japanese colonial rule in 1945. It then discusses the period from the
end of the Korean war to the start of the 1980’s during which time
architects endeavored to explore three major themes: use of new materials
and technology; creativity in form-making; expression of tradition in
contemporary architecture.
Major portion
of the presentation will deal with diverse types of buildings, which
have been built over the last three decades on the Korean soil, and
which have given the character to the appearance of what Korea is today.
It is intended to highlight not only the large urban scale buildings
which have transformed the face of a metropolis such as Seoul, but also
work of some architects who, by choice, produce architecture in small
atelier form of practice. At another level, the creative output of the
younger generation of architects will be contrasted to those of “corporate
architects,” including large-scale practices from other countries.
The paper concludes
with discussion of the future prospects for architecture in Korea in
an increasingly globalizing world.
Presented at the Hahn Moo-Sook Colloquium, George Washington University 11/03/07
1. Introduction
2. First Group of Western Style Buildings 1890~1945
Three Groups of Architects: Catholic Missionaries from France and Priest-Architects
Presbyterian and Methodist Missionaries and American
and Canadian Architects selected by them
Japanese
Colonial Government Architects
Seoul (Myŏngdong) Cathedral, 1898 Eugene-J.-G. Coste (France)
(Predecessor of Yŏnhŭi College) the Founder, Dr. Oliver R. Avison)
Tŏksugung Palace Sŏkchojŏn, 1910 G. R. Harding (UK)
Ewha Women’s College Pfeiffer House, 1910 William M. Vories (USA)
Bank of Korea, 1912 Tatsuno, Kingo (Japan)
Yŏnhŭi College Underwood Hall, 1918 Mr. Murphy (USA)
Seoul Railroad Station, 1925 Tsukamoto, Yasushi (Japan)
Japanese Colonial Government Building, 1926 G. E. De Lalande (Germany)+
Nomura, Ichiro (Japan) et al
Seoul Anglican Cathedral, 1926 Arthur Dixon (UK)
Japan Red Cross
Seoul Branch, 1933 Sasa, Keiichi (Japan)
Emergence of
Korean Clients: Kim Song-su; Pak Hŭng-sik; and the First Generation
of Korean Architects educated at Keijo (Seoul) Higher Technical School
Posŏng College (Korea University)
Main Building, 1934; Library, 1935 Pak Tong-jin
Chungang High School Main Building, 1937 Pak Tong-jin
Hwasin Department Store, 1937 Pak Kil-ryong
Tŏksugung Palace Museum, 1937 Nakamura, Yoshihei (Japan)
3. End of Colonial Rule, Independence, Korean War 1945~1953 – Architectural Vacuum
4. Period of Reconstruction and Fulfilling Demands for Physical Facilities 1953~1980
Three Major Themes Explored by architects: Use of New Materials and Technology;
Creativity
in Form-making; Expression of Tradition in Contemporary Architecture
Catholic Medical Center at Myŏngdong, 1963 Kim, Chung Soo/Chonghap Arch.
French Embassy in Seoul, 1962 Kim, Jung Up+Chung, Kil Hyup
Samil Building, 1971 Kim, Jung Up
Space Group Office Building, 1974 Kim, Swoo Geun/Space Group
Independence Memorial Museum, Chunan, 1981 Kim, Ki Woong/Samjung A & E
5. Period of Growth for Contemporary Architecture in Korea 1980~Present
Seoul Hilton Hotel, 1983 Kimm, Jong Soung/SAC
Kyobo Insurance Co. Head Office, 1983 Cesar Pelli/Gruen Associates+
Aum & Lee Architects
LG Twin Towers, 1987 SOM Chicago+Changjo Architects
World Trade Center, 1988 Nikken Sekkei (Japan)+Wondoshi
Architects, et al
Gymnastics Hall for ’88 Seoul Olympics, 1986 Kim Swoo Geun/Space Group
Weight-lifting Gymnasium for ’88 Seoul
Olympics, 1986 Kimm, Jong Soung/SAC
Sŏnje Museum of Art, Kyongju, 1991 Kimm, Jong Soung/SAC
Seoul Museum of History, 1998 Kimm, Jong Soung/SAC
Sindo Ricoh Office, 1999 Min, Hyun Sik/Ki O Hun
SK Corporation Head Office, 1999 Kimm, Jong Soung/SAC
Chongno Tower
(Samsung Life Insurance Building), 1999 Rafael Vinoly+Samwoo Architects
Wellcom City Office Building, 2000 Seung, Hyo Sang/Iroje
Uije Museum, Kwangju, 2001 Joh, Sung Yong+Kim, Jong Kyu
Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, 2004 Mario Botta, Rem Koolhaas/OMA,
Jean Nouvel+Samwoo Architects
Kwangju Design Center, 2005 Jang, Yoon Gyoo/UnSangDong Arch.
6. Prospects for Architecture in Korea- Concluding Remark
References:
Architecture Festival Organizing Committee at the Korean Institute of Architects: 100 Years of Korean Architecture, Seoul, 1999
An Changmo: A Study on Architect Pak Tong-jin, Ph.D. dissertation, Seoul National University, 1997.