Legends Bold : NarrationUnderline : Definition of the ArchitectureBold Italic : building Men made shelters in the early days and building houses became a lifestyle . In the 20 th century , architecture became unified into the single most important trend Modernism . Modern Korea was not immune to the shockwave . Then , what is Modernism to us and how have architects reacted to this trend ? Title : Modern Reactions in Korean ArchitectureModernism in KoreaWas Modernism the process of creating rational forms ? Bang Chul - rin : Modernism was manufactured for the needs of westerners , not ours . Jang Soon - gak : Creating new buildings with a new vision was the Modernism of the days , however , we are facing an educational need to understand this modern architecture . Kim Young - jai : What have been the reactions of Modernist architects ? Woo Kyung - kook : In the beginning modernism was divided into two aspects ; aesthetic and social vision , which together comprised Modernism . They are the same as far as they try to eliminate all of the unnecessary elements while creating beauty with our fundamental needs . What is the reaction of the modernist architects ? Was it a container for architecture or reasonable rationalism within it ? Kim Young - jai : What is the meaning , purpose and activity of Modernism in Korean architecture ? Baek Moon - ki : Civilian houses show simplicity , and elegance with no decoration . It took 60 years to recreate our Modernism by combining simple elegance and colorful royal architecture . You Tae - young : Modernism expresses the confidence of the people to create their future . Pioneers of Korean ArchitectureSoon pioneers of Korean architects emerged , such as Park Hak - jae , Kim chung - up , and Kim Soo - gun . Woo Kyung - kook : Professor Park ran an architect ' s office around 1950 . When he built the Hanyang university library , they said it was a typical modernist building . Kim Chung - up discovered an anthem in humanity , nature and music . In addition , he presented picturesque lines in the traditional roofs in his architecture . Likewise , early Korean architecture provided a vast , deep philosophy . Kim Soo - geun efficiently harmonized Korean cultural heritage with the aesthetics of the new era under the name of tradition . Kim Young - jai : Kim Soo - geun reminds me of the traditional Korean - style house line , however , they say that his aesthetics can be explained as an enclosed but endless passageway . Lee Sang - lim : We can discuss visible line and space in his architecture including the material ; however , we must pay attention to his spiritual heritage and the plus alpha in terms of our tradition and culture . Korean Modern Architecture EducationThe pioneers of Korean architecture were dedicated teachers as well . They were also parents of architects and students of the now counting 127 architecture departments in Korean universities . Yu Hi - jun : There is a galaxy of architects from the universities of Seoul , Hongik , Yonsei , Koryo and many others . Park Hak - jae educated students empirically to reshape Modernism in terms of philosophy and music . In Eui - sik : We can find ways to overcome the hardships by following his passionate example . Woo Kyung - kook : Prof . Park Hak - jae published a History of Western Architecture for the first time in Korea . Park Kyung - rip : He taught people to think in terms of philosophical architecture , and to give back to architecture . Baek Moon - ki : We learned ｅxpressionism and Non - ｅxpressionism in architecture , which are different from contemporary lectures . Park Kyung - rip : His teachings influenced his students as well as providing a living lesson from a parent . You Tae - young : After waiting four hours in the rain , Professor Park help me to get dry . Then he turned pages one by one and asked me , " Do you know the architect Louis Kahn ? " Baek Moon - ki : Whenever I decide anything , I always think of professor Park . Lee Hae - seong followed the Modernist doctrine ; however , he led a preservation movement for the traditional architecture of Korea . Above all , he was an admired teacher . Park Kyung - rip : Building roofs without support was not common in those days . Although he installed sun - brakes in the library , the building well demonstrates the moderate Modernist style . Baek Moon - ki : Namsan mountain library is still using them , because the building is healthy and useful . Professor Yu Hi - jun placed emphasis on Korean architecture fit for our climate and soil while teaching practical American architecture . Park Kyung - rip : Professor Yu probably was the first architecture student who studied in America . Therefore , he was free from an inferiority complex regarding Western architecture . Yu Hi - jun : I illustrated a tree root and juxtaposed 72 vitamins , then asked students to experience and take them . Urban Architecture in 2009 Korean Modernist architects has reacted dynamically in diverse ways . Among them , we find New Critical Regionalism , Minimalism , and Post - Modernism including Surveying New Space and Art and Sustainable tradition and technology . Paju Publication City and Heyri Art Village are the warming index of 21 st century Korean architecture . Woo Kyung - kook : Heyri buildings are good examples of shaping architectural formulas to blend and co - existed with nature . Not only Heyri art village , but Korean architecture takes global steps with solid grounds of artistic , philosophical and technical achievements . Korean Architects in the 21 st century . Bang Chul - rinAnalogical space with good restsComfortable place in an undetermined spaceNatural passageway toward man and nature Tantan Story HouseBang Chul - rin : I try to think about space with a free mind . Also , I consider the aspects of nature and communication in design . Kim Young - jai : Paju Publication City has a pseudonym ‘ Siberia ’. It is so desolate that you need special care to make a comfortable space . Bang Chul - rin : Therefore , I made a smooth design , such as locating a porch in a distant corner so that visitors can enjoy nature through the windows and their steps . Bang Chul - rin : The fourth floor departs from the lower floors and provides a rest area outside . A corridor is designed to line - up from Simhaksan Mountain to the Hangang River , so the city is connected to the nature and secured with green surroundings . In Eui - sik In Eui - sik : For the floating stage effect , the water should be running . Lee Il - mook : The water will run this way . .. Deok Pyeong Rest AreaEco - friendly structure and natural energy in the nature Formation space connecting functional space and open space Orchestration view unifying parts and the whole Kim Young - jai : Architects take endless responsibility for their works , don ' t they ? In Eui - sik : Whenever I see my work I never fail to check because I feel it is like my children . So , I observe and modify my designs and I alter them without losing the original beauty . Kim Young - jai : I find a function of space is as a rest area , design concept and natural scenery is also in here . In Eui - sik : The pine forest around this area gave me a design inspiration . So , this is really eco - friendly architecture impressed by nature , used natural materials , utilizing natural energyIn Eui - sik : In between the rest rooms , white birch woods are shown and a reflection is also made in the opposite mirror . Consequently , visitors feel they are in a birch forest . Kim Young - jai : An artificial pond suggests the creative womb in the center of this area , doesn ’ t it ? Baek Moon - kiVisual linkage with surrounding nature Communication with neighbors by public space Transparent daily space connecting worshipping space with a ramp Kimpo Gochon ChurchKim Young - jai : You must feel proud because you didn ' t work for your interest . You were willing to contribute and fulfill your will . Baek Moon - ki : Apart from an ordinary church steeple , I built an extraordinary church in this apartment village . The transparent lower level signifies this world . .. Kim Young - jai : Not only for the believers in this church cafe . .. Volunteer : But also lot of neighbors visit here . Kim Young - jai : Architectural design contains the coffee shop plan , doesn ' t it ? Baek Moon - ki : The floating upper level signifies worshipping space . Following the sloping path , you enjoy the Mountain View , and then you go in to the chapel . Yi Eun - youngNature as a fundamental unit for creation and ｅxpressionMonumental piety in monuments and shrinesRe - interpreting the time interval in water , light and wind Yi Jong - hoUrban architectural reaction with the cityFinding significance and motive in the given surroundingsSpontaneous linkage between functional space and design spaceKim Young - jai : You must have experienced difficulties and problems in the memorial hall . Yi Jong - ho : When I saw the Ihwa women ' s high school , I realized that the building design would not be easygoing . As the founder Mrs . Scranton wrote , the school dared to become involved in society , expecting a voluntary response . Consequently , I evoked two responses in the design . First , I designed an easy access space like a theatre , gallery and concert hall for the people . Second , I had to consider the forms of agreement and conflict between the street and the school . Deciding how the high school girl ' s space could accepts the anonymous mass of the public was the most difficult but joyful issue to discuss with the school authorities . Jang Soon - gakHarmony with crude handcraft and cutting - edge ITPassage way to attract eyesight and curiosityColor and light design toward infinite deep impression Doosan Art Square Kim Young - jai : This building is art itself as the name art square indicates . .. Jang Soon - gak : I wanted this space to provide both a resting space with cultural opportunity and a resting skyline in between skyscraper apartments . For the concept , I ordered about ten thousand hand - made white porcelain tiles for the street side wall to reflect the light and give an impression of great feeling like a great white porcelain . Jang Soon - gak : Visitors are led this way . .... You see the whole perspective here . Kim Young - jai : The coffee isn ' t free , is it ? Jang Soon - gak : Of course it is free . Also the gallery , meeting room and media lab are free too . Jang Soon - gak : This room is a not a regular rectangle but twisted . So the richness of the space increased . If you need more space , you can push the movable television partition wall . Jang Soon - gak : I was often asked what the difference between architect and interior design is . In Europe , there ' s no discrimination . Perhaps Korea began interior design study quite recently . Jang Soon - gak : For instance , architects are orthopedic surgeons , and interior designers are plastic surgeons . Kim Young - jai : Nice metaphor . You Tae - youngIntelligent and profound programmingHarmony with sound , shape and lightMan between the sky and soilHorim Art CenterKim Young - jai : Horim Art Center has its original function and purpose as an art center . Doesn ' t it ? You Tae - young : The gallery , little theater , commercial facilities and office are gathered here in this building . Like the design of this building , what we call programming , we have to consider in as broad an interpretation as we can . You Tae - young : In addition to the usage , balance and sound of the building the most important thing is energy . Also , I was able to influence the shape of sound in this building because the Horim Art Center has a space between the small passages . When you see the sky , you can notice a diverse sky shape . Woo Kyung - kookRe - orientation of nature , architecture and manCritical upgrade of the region and traditionBuilding with facial ｅxpression and directionBaeksoonshil Museum Kim Young - jai : It looks like a great flower pot . Woo Kyung - kook : I wondered who owns the site . The tree is the center of the architecture . Nature is a permanent master . Woo Kyung - kook : I divided the museum into social , neutral , independent and natural spaces . But the social space was occupied by an 80 years old oak tree . So , inspired by an altar in Yandong village , I decided to protect the tree in the design . Woo Kyung - kook : I directed from outside to inside , and then again from inside to out side space , like a movie . Kim Young - jai : Like a mis - en - scene , I guess . Woo Kyung - kook : The light comes down where the curved frontal wall meets the direct wall . Woo Kyung - kook : This is what I call a wind walk . The private room has a separate entrance . Ryu Choon - sooRational meeting with technology and artGlobalized tradition within his physical experienceSustainable income designWorld cup StadiumNHKVideo : The world cup soccer game which surpasses skin color . .. Kim Young - jai : They say the stadium suggests many traditional facts . Ryu Choon - soo : It is a good ｅxpression that the stadium produces hope in a kite shape , and puts richness into the traditional tray . However , I boast that best feature of the stadium is in its content design . It has become the most profitable stadium in the world . Kim Young - jai : You were awarded for being a man of good conduct , is this a priority in architecture ? Ryu Choon - soo : I was raised in a Confucian culture society and studied two years in a Buddhist temple . After that , I realized that my architecture can never be in a western style . That is to say , I express what I like , what I know and what I feel . For example , I planted pine trees and arranged rocks around the stadium along with keeping the ground pretty much unchanged by adjusting the length of the pillars according to the height of the ground . So , I can say I like to keep with tradition . Architecture , is it tradition or freedom ? Modernism in twentieth century Korea was a new paradigm and a starting point for a global Korea . However , Modernism also gave a clue to the standardization principle . Jang Soon - gak : Korean architecture developed owing to Modernist nutrients . Can a tradition be an alternative plan ? Ryu Choon - soo : We have to make a user - convenient space by combining our history , tradition , culture and universal skills . An ambiguous motive prevents from diagnosing the future of architecture . Woo Kyung - kook : How can anybody predict future architectural style , nobody knows . If you are an architect , what is your choice ? Is it an uncertain future , or freedom for the architect ? In Eui - sik : Two alternatives will arise , such as high - tech and creative architecture . Since all the prior considerations are settled , architects can be free . However , can architectures which is built in terms of the spirit of the times and the masterly sense of responsibility survive as a history and culture ? Yi Jong - ho : The crucial point is expressed ; i . e . , Now Here . Modern Reactions in Korean architecture Exhibition Address from the chairman Lee Chang - sup : We confirm that our traditional architecture department has reached to a summit . .. Address from the president of Hanyang University . Kim Chong - yang : The history of the architecture department is as long as the history of Hanyang University . Hornorary Professor Yu Hi - jun : Let ’ s applause to the architects of their achievements . Celebrating Performance Woo Kyung - kook : The printed floor movement names imply western style , the floating panels show our achievements maybe influenced . Near Yeongdo Bridge , isn ’ t it ? Done by our graduate . KCNart Production , Korea , 082 - 10 - 3717 - 0258 aartas @ empal . comThis video can also be reviewed at Blog . Daum . net / artvideo