Architecture Projects

Living Records: The Multidimensional Role of the National Archives Museum

The National Archives Museum is not merely a repository of records but a spatial platform where records are created, shared, and interpreted. Records are not just static collections of past information; they are dynamically reinterpreted within historical and social contexts. Just as Walter Benjamin's nonlinear view of history suggests, records are not simply objects of preservation but cultural assets that connect the past, present, and future.

The National Archives Museum: A Period and a Comma in the Master Plan

The National Archives Museum is not merely an independent structure; it serves as an architectural nexus within the spatial network of the National Museum Complex. Rather than existing in isolation, it must integrate seamlessly with the broader master plan, functioning as a key element in the interconnected museum district. Although positioned at the edge of the museum complex, the Archives Museum is not just an endpoint but a starting point for the expansion of archival culture. It acts as both a period, marking a culmination, and a comma, allowing continuity, ensuring that records are not just preserved but actively engaged with, interpreted, and disseminated.

As the Track of Records and the Vessel of Everyday Life                

The National Archives Museum is designed as a space where preservation and openness coexist, serving as an interface where archived records intersect with public experience. Its spatial concept is structured around a “floating track (궤)” that holds records and a “vessel (함)” that embraces and connects it to everyday life.

As society evolves toward prioritizing individual quality of life, the specialization of community-based sports facilities is also accelerating. Bangbae-dong Redevelopment Zone 5, once a hillside densely packed with small residential buildings, has transformed into a large-scale, high-rise, luxury residential complex. Amid this dramatic contextual shift, this multipurpose sports center is located at the northern slope of Isu Middle School, tucked within the inner edge of Zone 5. It serves as a multifunctional space for local residents' athletic activities and leisure. In the changing urban fabric, the sizable sports facility maintains a quiet presence without drawing unnecessary attention to itself.

To maximize the site's topographical features, a series of three-dimensional public spaces that naturally connect to the adjacent children’s park have been placed on the ground level. Meanwhile, a large swimming pool and multipurpose gymnasium are elevated above this public area. The swimming pool, with eight 50-meter lanes, is designed to accommodate professional swimming competitions as well as community swimming lessons. The multipurpose gymnasium, equivalent in size to two basketball courts, offers a versatile space for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and various local events. Despite its considerable size, the upper mass of the sports center harmonizes with its surroundings, presenting a calm and understated exterior. The building’s interior, while modest in its exterior expression, is vibrant and filled with natural light to support active and healthy athletic activities. Designed for maximum natural ventilation and sunlight, the interior ensures bright, fresh, and invigorating spaces for users.

The lower part of the building, accommodating various lobby levels, mechanical and electrical rooms, pool pits, and parking facilities, is constructed using an RC (reinforced concrete) frame structure. The central section, housing the vertical cores and support facilities for the pool and gymnasium, also employs RC framing. The large-span spaces, such as the gymnasium and swimming pool, are supported by lightweight steel trusses placed atop the RC frame, with mega trusses forming the external walls to resist lateral forces. This structural system is straightforward yet robust, comfortably housing both large and small programmatic spaces.

Situated atop a diverse array of external spaces that connect Dogo-meori Park to the newly established Half-Moon Park, this sports center actively integrates indoor and outdoor spaces with the children’s park. It provides an open, indoor public area for Seoul residents, serving as a space for health, vitality, and community engagement.

 The Vertiport of the PEACE PROJECT is proposed as a new transportation infrastructure connecting cities near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of South and North Korea. It goes beyond being a mere mode of transportation to serve as a symbolic venue linking the two Koreas. Designed with respect for the preserved natural environment of the DMZ, the VertiStop seeks architectural solutions that coexist with the ecosystem while minimizing environmental impact and harmonizing with nature. 

The Vertiport features a steel truss structure comprising three landing pads, each with a radius of approximately 40 meters, providing both stability and efficiency. Designed to stand about 10-15 meters taller than the average height of nearby trees, it minimizes interference with nature during takeoff and landing, ensuring smooth operations. 

The structure is divided into three levels. The ground level serves as the main entrance and circulation area, guiding users through a natural flow.The middle level functions as a lounge for pre- and post-boarding procedures, featuring independent observation decks where passengers can complete boarding formalities while enjoying the surrounding natural scenery. The top level is a waiting area designed for comfort, offering a pleasant environment for passengers before boarding. All levels are connected by independent vertical circulation paths.

The exterior is clad with steel materials that reflect the surrounding forest and blend seamlessly into the natural environment. This choice of material reacts dynamically to changing light and weather over time, creating an aesthetic that makes the structure feel like an integral part of nature.

 Around the Vertiport, gardens and outdoor spaces harmonize with nature, offering passengers areas to rest or take a stroll while waiting. These features position the VertiStop as more than just transportation infrastructure; it has the potential to foster interaction and communication between residents of both Koreas, serving as a place of exchange and connection.