New public architecture projects transform bland neighborhoods into aesthetically attractive districts

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us,” Winston Churchill said in October 1943 as he promised to reconstruct the British Parliament building, which had been destroyed by bombs during World War II.Against a backdrop of hasty urban planning, lousy buildings and a clutter of signboards that mirror Korea’s turbulent modern history, pricey structures continue to rise over each other in Seoul as if to compete to become a landmark of the capital.Min Hyun-shik, architectural magnate and form

This is the third in a weekly series that examines the expanding role of design in the run-up to the Herald Design Forum 2014 on Nov. 26. ― Ed.“Less is more.”Joon Paik’s simple answer epitomizes what he puts above all else in architectural design.“It’s actually easy to add things. But if you keep adding, you end up with just a mixture of everything with no clear point,” said Paik, vice president of Seoul-based Chang-jo Architects.“The essence of a design unveils itself when unnecessary bits are

15 finalists of the Dutch Design Awards present products in Seoul

This is the second in a weekly series that examines the expanding role of design in the run-up to the Herald Design Forum 2014 on Nov. 26. ― Ed.A dingy overpass that blocked the sky was torn down to make way for a stream full of life. A waste landfill was transformed into an ecological park with meadows and silvery grass fields. Dilapidated factories were turned into work spaces for artists, museums and galleries.Urban restoration is the fashionable new paradigm of urban design and can change pe

The elevated road that stretches above the railway tracks at Seoul Station felt its first human footsteps earlier this month in 44 years since it was built in 1970.The overpass was open to pedestrians and closed to vehicles in a promotional event led by the Seoul City government on Oct. 12 to gain public support for a project to repurpose the structure into a grassy elevated park.Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon announced during his visit to New York last month that the Seoul Station overpass would be

The fourth edition brings together distinguished figures in design to share their thoughts on the power of design

Japanese architect Toyo Ito speaks at the Herald Design Forum in 2013. Herald Design ForumHerald Design Forum has established itself as one of Korea’s leading platforms to discuss design.The forum has shed light on the growing role of design in contemporary life since it was first held in 2011. The significance of design has been stressed by a number of key figures in design from around the world. It is the speaker lineups of world-leading designers that put the forum on the map.In 2012, the for

Architecture exhibitions at MMCA shed light on modern Korean architecture during turbulent economic and political changes

Exhibition traces Gabrielle Chanel’s life and design inspirations centered on places

TOKYO (AP) ― A new generation of Japanese architects is scoring success by reinterpreting the past. Unlike their predecessors, who modernized Japan with Western-style edifices, they talk of fluidly defining space with screens, innovatively blending with nature, taking advantage of earthy materials and incorporating natural light, all trademarks of Japanese design. And their sensibility that speaks to a human-oriented yet innovative everyday life is proving a hit abroad, said Erez Golani Solomon,

Calligrapher Kang Byung-in uses brush and ink to explore beauty of Korean letters

Along the “design promenade,” the curved, flowing passageway inside the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, visitors pass by stylish, unique chairs. Some take a look, while others hardly notice them and go straight into the exhibition space. The DDP staff recommends visitors pay attention to the chairs, designed by 112 furniture designers from 30 countries around the world. “Visitors are not sure whether the chairs are just decor objects or real chairs that they can sit on. The chairs displayed he

Choi Ae-ja, adjunct professor of Korean traditional costume at Konkuk University Graduate School of Design, has been selected the “Korea Arts and Culture Master” of traditional craft in fabric dyes. The title recognizes her excellent craftsmanship of extracting natural dyes of colors that are produced only through chemical dyes. The honorable designation is awarded annually by the Korea Art and Culture Organization, one of the largest and oldest associations in Korea to promote Korean culture an

Craft designers and artisans give contemporary look to traditional craftwork to create balance with modern cuisine