Site Area : 11,780 m2

Building Area : 2,510 m2

Total Area : 3,250 m2

Location : Historical Uijeongbu Site, Seoul, South Korea

[Description]

The chosen site honors the historical values of traditional buildings and possesses unique conditions that allow for their public exhibition in their authentic form. The design process began with an acknowledgment of the characteristics inherent in the interconnected layout of traditional Korean architecture, while also preserving significant historical remnants and offering diverse vantage points for visitors. To fulfill this vision, the first step involved delineating the area of historical remains using a square frame as a metaphor for historical contexts. Subsequently, external decks were intricately woven through this framework.

These interconnected decks form a ‘Maze’, emerging from the process of segmenting and linking the frames with careful consideration of visitor movement and visual connections. As a result, the maze-like decks branch off in various directions and are segmented, allowing visitors to engage with the site by pausing to contemplate the historical remains or observing the explorations of others.

Beyond the outdoor heritage exploration, visitors are drawn to the museum building, situated at the culmination of the outdoor maze-like decks. The building’s mass, facade, and color tone draw inspiration from the curves and textures found in Korean traditional roofing, offering a modern interpretation of traditional beauty. The exhibition hall extends this aesthetic, allowing visitors to continually engage with the historical heritage amid spaces crafted with ceilings and walls that echo traditional roof patterns and hues.

The seamless blend of modern reinterpretations of traditional Korean architecture with the site’s distinctive traditional character is integral to the project’s success.

Design by KIM MIN JAE