On September 1, Seoul National University Museum opened the doors of the exhibition “The Future We’ve Designed: The Centennial of Korean Modern Architecture.” The exhibition, which will be exhibited through February 26, is hosted by the SNU Department of Architecture and the BK (Brain Korea) Project Group. The exhibition aims to look back on the historical achievements of Korean Modern Architecture and introduce contemporary projects.

The development of Korean modern architecture during the colonial period

Setting 1919, the year when a group of pioneering Korean architects graduated from Gyeongseong Industrial High School, as the starting point of modern Korean architecture, this exhibition was organized to commemorate its centennial. Museum director Jeon, BongHee stressed the contribution of pioneering architects who were the first to receive professional architectural education and the role of the succeeding generation. “Considering the hardships due to the shortage in experts during the colonial era, it is a remarkable feat for Korean modern architecture to achieve world-class design and technology only 76 years removed from the Japanese colonial period.”

Looking into Korean modern architecture through a rich collection

Upon entering the second floor where the exhibition starts, visitors are presented with a timeline of the achievements of Korean urban architecture. The exhibition guides visitors starting with the “learning and imitation” period of the 1920s to 50s through the “logic and sense” period of the 2000s. Along with displays of various models and blueprints of symbolic projects, additional visualization is provided alongside the walls featuring photos and demographic information in chronological order. Among the various materials, the models of selected buildings of the SNU campus grabs attention. One of these is the iconic Poongsan-madang, an outdoor stage facility located near the College of Education. Opened in 2015, its architecture harmonizes with the surrounding terrain, creating an open space where local residents could also come and enjoy cultural events.

Moving to the lobby on the first floor, visitors can explore SNU faculty’s current projects covering the fields of architectural engineering, architectural theory, and environmental engineering. These works incorporate contemporary research in architectural technology and theory and are presented using models, illustrations and even material samples. One of the works features Professor So Hyun Park and her colleagues’ investigation into urban architectural designs for the elderly. The project aims to capture the urban lifestyle of the elderly by investigating themes of walking, space, and public transport. Visitors are also welcome to share their thoughts by posting them on the exhibit.

Museum director Jeon explained the uniqueness of the exhibition as it being the first attempt to look back on Korean modern architecture centering on the architects. He added that visitors would also be able to appreciate achievements in art, academia, and the industry through their exploration into urban architecture. It will be worth a visit for those interested in the history of Korean modern architecture and its contemporary status.

Source: https://www.snu.ac.kr/snunow/snu_story?md=v&bbsidx=133995
Written by Jaeyong lee, SNU English Editor, moonn6pence@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Professor Travis Smith, Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations, tlsmith@snu.ac.kr