Architecture of Korea. South Korea: architecture and history. Gangnam style shopping mall in Seoul
Contemporary Korean art is divided into North Korean art and South Korean art. there are two states. The traditional art of Korea was unified.
Korean culture is very ancient, dating back more than 5 thousand years.
Painting
Shin Yoon Bok "Portrait of a Beauty"
Korean painting is complex and original, but is strongly influenced by Chinese culture and the traditional beliefs of Koreans: shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. The ideas of these religions also influenced the art of Korea.
Shamanism- an early form of religion, it is based on the belief in the communication of the shaman with spirits in a state of trance.
Buddhism- religious and philosophical doctrine of spiritual awakening, which arose around the 6th century. BC e. in Ancient India.
Confucianism- ethical and philosophical teaching developed by Confucius (551-479 BC) and developed by his followers. The main problems of the doctrine are questions about the ordering of relations between rulers and subjects, the moral qualities that a ruler and a subordinate should have, etc.
Taoism– the doctrine of Tao or “the way of things,” a Chinese traditional teaching that includes elements of religion and philosophy. At the center of Taoism is the doctrine of the great Tao, universal Law and the Absolute. Tao is endless movement, the law of existence, the cosmos, the universal unity of the world. Tao dominates everywhere and in everything, always and limitlessly. Nobody created him, but everything comes from him and returns to him.
Three Ancient Korean Kingdoms Period (57 BC to 669 AD)
Map of Three Ancient Korean Kingdoms
The earliest traces of Korean painting are present on the walls of royal tombs during the kingdom period Goguryeo(37 BC-668 AD), they provide insight into the life of Koreans at that time.
Image of the Moon Goddess on a Goguryeo period grave
The paintings were applied either to a primer of straw and clay, or directly to the granite surface of the walls. First, a black outline was applied, then the surface of the drawing was painted. The paints contained lead oxide and glue.
The plot of the drawings is about the continuation of life of the dead in the afterlife. Representatives of the ruling classes have always tried to perpetuate themselves. Sometimes the entire family of the deceased was depicted, their relatives, retinue and servants, homes and outbuildings - all this was necessary for a normal life in accordance with the views of the people of the Goguryeo period. Goguryeo murals indicate a transition from schematic drawing to narrative painting. They became a tradition of art in subsequent eras. Examples of this painting could also be in temples and palaces.
Goguryeo period tomb painting
Baekje(first half of the 7th century) - one of the Three Ancient Korean Kingdoms, along with Goguryeo and Silla. Baekje painting, influenced by the art schools of Goguryeo and southern China, developed its own style, elegant and pure. But few paintings from that era have come down to us: these are frescoes with a lotus and swirling clouds from a tomb in Nynsani near Buyeo and a landscape in relief on tiles from Quamni.
In the tomb of King Moray (501-522) in 1971, elegant color images of a lotus, phoenix and other mythical animals were discovered. The landscape on the brick wall of one of the destroyed Baekje temples indicates high level landscape painting of this period.
Achzha “Portrait of Prince Shotoku-taishi”
Some works by Baekje artists have survived outside the country, in Japan. An artist from the Baekje period, Prince Aja, visited Japan in 597 and created a portrait of Prince Shotoku-taishi there. This portrait became the oldest monument Korean portrait painting. The prince stands in the center in luxurious attire, flanked by two sons. Faces, hair, clothing and jewelry are drawn very carefully. There is no perspective in the picture, and the sons are depicted as deliberately short in stature compared to the prince.
In fine arts and architecture Silla period(57 BC - 935) there was a further development of painting, sculpture, arts and crafts and architecture, which were closely associated with Buddhism, this explains the exclusively Buddhist orientation of Sillan art.
Image of the heavenly horse Chollima from the Silla period
Silla painting has hardly survived. But written sources have preserved the story of the outstanding master of the 7th century. Solgo, who owns the paintings on the walls of the Hwannyeongsa Temple and the iconographic portraits of the Buddhist deities Avalokiteshvara (Punghwansa Temple in the city of Gyeongju) and the Bodhisattva Yuma (Tangsoksa Temple in the city of Jinju).
Mandala of Avalokiteshvara
In 921, the monk Chonghwa from the Heungnyunsa Temple (Gyeongju) painted a portrait of the Bodhisattva Pohyeon, a true masterpiece of Buddhist iconography. The work died in the 13th century. during the Mongol invasions of the Korean Peninsula. In the Tang Empire, the paintings of the Sillan master Kim Chun were widely known.
Amitabha and the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (14th century, Goryeo period)
Art Goryeo period(918-1392) was heavily influenced by China. During this period, the Academy of Painting was founded. Representatives of the upper classes and professional artists studied there. The themes of the paintings already went beyond Buddhist subjects. Artists painted portraits, landscapes, animals and the four noble plants: plum tree, chrysanthemum, orchid and bamboo, which represent the four virtues.
Depiction of Avalokitesvara from the Goryeo Dynasty (1310)
Avalokitesvara- the embodiment of the infinite compassion of all Buddhas.
The drawings were made with a brush and ink on paper or silk, and vegetable and mineral paints were used. A typical form of easel painting was emerging. A Korean painting is a scroll of a vertical or (less commonly) horizontal type. No more than 10 paintings from the Goryeo period have survived. During the Goryeo era, a number of remarkable painters lived and worked, whose works have not reached us, remaining only in chronicles.
IN Joseon period(the name of Korea from 1392 to 1897), the concept of easel painting as an independent art form finally took shape. It was painting on silk, paper, special fabric with vegetable or mineral paints, as well as ink. The painting was in the shape of a scroll and was intended to decorate temples and palaces. Light and linear perspective were absent; the main role in the picture was played by line.
Painting by artist Owon (Joseon Dynasty period)
Had a huge influence on the development of Korean painting Shoi style, developed in China. The Shoi style (“expression of an idea”) is distinguished by the absence of clear contours, free picturesqueness, and broad strokes. An impression is created of the essence of the object - and this is a condition for creativity in the Shoi style. Each individual element of what was observed created its own private impression. But in order for the viewer to correctly perceive these particular and fundamental sensations, the component parts of the picture must have “formal similarity.” The master painted what he saw one under the other or in spatial sequence. The depth and volume of the landscape were expressed by the background. This style required keen observation, visual memory, and persistence in understanding what was seen.
Artist Kim Hong Do “Cat and Butterfly” (XVIII century)
Artist An Kyung “Dream Journey to the Shore of Peach Blossoms” (1447)
At this time, through China, Korean artists became acquainted with works of Western art and genres: landscape, portrait, still life, everyday scenes.
Jeong Seong "Jongno-gu District in Seoul"
Korean painting has a peculiar monochrome flavor, where ink plays a central role. An independent genre has been created - painting with thick ink. The technical techniques of Korean painting are determined by the materials the painter uses: special paper, silk, brushes with pointed ends, ink and water paints.
Crafts
Ancient handicrafts, particularly red and black pottery, share many similarities with Chinese pottery. The Bronze Age relics found are quite elaborate.
Many finely crafted items were found during excavations: gilded crowns, jugs and pots with various ornaments. During the Goryeo period, the use of bronze was common, as was brass (an alloy of copper and one-third zinc). Products of that time made of celadon are known.
Celadon– a special type of glaze in ceramics.
Korean pressed celadon
Incense burner in the form of a dragon (celadon from the Goryeo era)
During the Joseon period, porcelain items decorated with blue designs were popular. At the same time, woodworking developed and elaborate furniture (dressers, cabinets and tables) appeared.
Lacquered chest of drawers with mother-of-pearl inlay
Pottery and porcelain
During the Three Kingdoms period, the culture of each state had a common historical basis, but was different from the others. However, pottery was one of the leading branches of production and had its own traditions and specifics.
Pottery reached a special peak in Baekje. Here, in addition to dishes, high-quality roofing tiles were also made. Baekje masters carefully selected clay for their products and used a potter's wheel.
Vessel decorated with drawings of cranes (12th century)
Ceramic dishes had simple and rational forms. There were 20 types of vessels for various purposes. The ceramic production of China had a noticeable influence on Baekje pottery. Early glazed Baekje pottery had a dull grey-green color.
Ceramic vessels and other utensils were part of the grave goods. By the V-VI centuries. In Silla pottery, the leading direction was the production of high-temperature “stone” ceramics with very durable ringing shards. The dishes were fired in a reduction mode and therefore had an even gray color. Silla potters were also skilled in making glazed ware. The shapes of ceramic vessels were more complex and varied compared to the products of Baekje masters.
Pottery from Kai (area that later became part of Silla)
Remains of ceramic workshops in former Goguryeo are very rarely discovered. Goguryeo technology and ceramics were different from Baekje and Silla pottery. The dishes were fired at relatively low temperatures and had a dirty gray or brown color. The shapes and decoration of the vessels preserved ancient traditions dating back to the Neolithic era, and also included details borrowed from Chinese potters.
The main types of pottery during the Koryo period were “stone” ceramics with dense, ringing shards, celadon wares, white porcelain, and tiles.
Roof tiles
During the Joseon Dynasty, the demand of Joseon nobles and wealthy citizens for luxury goods increased, which led to progress in the field of artistic crafts. Traditional types of applied art are developing: silk embroidery, ceramic and porcelain production, production of bronze utensils and bladed weapons.
Blue and white porcelain vessel with designs of pine trees and bamboo from the Joseon Dynasty (1489)
Architecture
Korean buildings are usually built on a stone foundation and topped with a curved roof with tiles, supported by brackets and pillars. The walls are made of earth, but sometimes consist entirely of movable wooden doors. Buildings are designed so that there is always space between the "inside" and "outside" parts of the house.
A striking example of architecture during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) is the Amit Hall of Phuseok Temple in Andongye. Beginning in the middle of the Goryeo Dynasty and even before the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, under the influence of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, a complex cantilever system was developed in which brackets were also placed on transverse horizontal beams. Namdaemun in Seoul (a national treasure of Korea) is perhaps the most famous example of buildings with this structure.
Namdaemun Gate
Namdaemun (Great South Gate) is one of the oldest architectural monuments Seoul, built in 1398
In the mid-Joseon era, wing-shaped brackets appeared (Yongnyeongjeong Hall, "hall of eternal peace", Jongmyo in Seoul).
Main gate of Yeongnyeongjeong Hall
Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine founded on the anniversary of the death of the deceased Wangs and their wives during the Korean Joseon Dynasty. This sanctuary is the oldest surviving royal sanctuary and has been the site of funeral rituals since the 14th century.
Reconstruction of Neolithic huts
And the first inhabitants of the Korean Peninsula, who lived in prehistoric Korea, used caves, stone windbreaks and portable shelters as housing (30,000 BC). They were discovered at the Sokchang-ri site in Chungcheongnam-do province. Earlier examples of pit house architecture date back to the Chulmun ceramic era.
Log houses were built by laying one log horizontally on top of another. The gaps between the logs were covered with clay to prevent drafts. Similar houses still exist in the mountainous areas of Gangwon Province in South Korea.
Megaliths (dolmens) were used as burial structures for very important and noble people of the Mumun ceramic era (1500-300 BC). They are found in large numbers.
Dolmens in Gochang
The spread of dolmens implies a relationship to megalithic cultures around the world.
During the era of the “Three Korean States,” people lived in dugouts or in houses with a raised floor. A raised floor is a type of raised floor.
House with raised floor
Traditional house (hanok)
Traditional peasant house
Fortress architecture
Mountain fortresses were built on an inclined surface. One of the well-preserved fortresses of the Goguryeo state (Paegham Fortress) was built before the 6th century. in what is now southwestern Manchuria. People in Goguryeo loved to build magnificent palaces. Patterned tiles and decorative bracket systems were used in many of the palaces of Pyongyang, as well as in other fortified cities that were located in what is now Manchuria.
Ruins of the Hwando mountain fortress
Religious architecture
The construction of Buddhist temples began after the spread of Buddhism in 372 from Northern China. Excavations indicate that the temples were built in the Goguryeo “Three Halls – One Pagoda” style. The hall was on the east, west and north sides of the pagoda, and on the south there was an entrance gate.
After the fall of the Nannan Kingdom, the state of Baekje established friendly relations with China and Japan. Great temples were built during this time. The earliest stone pagoda from the Mirayksa Temple in Iksan is of particular interest because it is characterized by the features of the transition from wooden to stone pagodas.
Reconstruction of the Mirayksa Temple from Iksan in South Korea (7th century Temple)
The state of Baekje adopted various influences on architecture: pagodas especially emphasized their origins from Chinese models. Later, important elements of the Baekje architectural style were adopted by Japan.
Baekje was heavily influenced by Goguryeo and Southern China. One of the features of Baekje architecture is the use of curved structures. Although none of Baekje's buildings survive, only the remains of non-wooden structures from all three early Korean states, including Baekje, are now discovered.
Silla is the last of the Three Kingdoms. Many Buddhist temples were built in this kingdom. One of the most famous examples is Cheomseongdae, considered the first stone observatory in Asia.
Cheomseongde
Cheomseongdae is known for its unique and elegant shapes.
Silla came under Buddhist influence in 527. Since Silla did not border China, the influence of Chinese culture on the temples was minimal.
Reconstruction of the Great Pagoda at Hwannyeongsa Temple
Hwannyeongsa is one of the early temples of the Silla state. It stood in a square surrounded by a rectangular wall 288 m long. The area of the area limited by the corridors was 19,040 m².
The main hall houses a large image of Shakyamuni Buddha on a stone pedestal. Built in the mid-6th century, Hwannyeongsa Temple flourished for more than 680 years.
The other main temple of the Silla state was Punghwansa, which now has three tiers, although the annals say that it was nine tiers.
Bunghwansa Temple Pagoda
Funerary architecture
The funerary architecture of the Three Kingdoms period is monumental. During the Goguryeo period, there were two types of funerary architecture: stepped stone pyramids and huge earthen mounds.
Step pyramids
Great Tomb of Hwannam. The king and queen of the Silla state are buried there.
Korea also has a rich architectural heritage of tombs and city walls.
Stone Buddha near Gyeongju (7th century, Silla state)
Japan and China firmly occupy the first positions in uniqueness modern architecture. However, along with them is Korea, which, for some unknown reason, receives less attention. Korean architects keep up with their Asian brothers and amaze with new projects.
Historically, the culture of the East is always following traditions, a skillful combination of innovative achievements and the heritage of the past. But in the case of Korea, the situation is different. The traditional architecture of this country was characterized by two directions: palace-temple and folk. The system of beams and supports borrowed from China was present in both, but the first was distinguished by its opulent decoration, traditionally curved tiled roof, and the second by its simple appearance and predominance of straight lines.
Dancing Dragons Towers
In current buildings, traditions are practically unreadable; everything is dominated by modern trends and styles characteristic of Europe and America. The capitals of both countries - Seoul and Pyongyang - stand out in particular. Over the past decade, the appearance of these and other cities has changed dramatically.
Velo Tower in Seoul
One of the attractions of Seoul is the office building of the Hyundai Development Corporation. The distinctive features of this building include modern futuristic motifs, expressed in the predominance of geometric shapes, lines sharply dividing the façade, and also the fact that the appearance is not thematically related to the work of the company. The architects sought to fit the building into the surrounding parks, squares and city squares, but in this case a traditional detail is also indirectly traced - a circle symbolizing the Great Limit, also found in the Yin-Yang sign.
The Kring cultural complex has several circles on the facade, but, in this case, the dominant geometric figure acts as a decorative element, which classifies the building as a whole to the organic style of architecture. An original solution is to fit the windows into circles, and the interior features a cylindrical glass passage connecting different objects on the territory of the complex.
Natural organic motifs are found throughout the office complex of their two 17-storey Twin Trees towers. The building fully corresponds to the stated name, as it has a branching structure, similar to a tree trunk, and even “roots”, which are 8 floors located underground. Inside, the main volumes of the building are connected by paths providing for the movement of both vehicles and pedestrians.
The surge in popularity of the elite and expensive Gangnam area after singer PSY's hit of the same name prompted architects to make changes to its appearance. Built back in 1980, Chunga House has been converted into a modern shopping center. Renovated in 2009, it is considered one of the best renovations. The changes included adding another floor, replacing the stone cladding with white tiles and multi-colored lighting of the building thanks to LED screens.
Modern trends have not bypassed residential buildings. Vi-Sang House was built according to the design of the popular Korean architectural bureau Moon Hoon in 2011. The building is intended for one family and is located in the small town of Gyeonggi-do. Despite all the avant-garde design of the building, the authors turned to traditional compositional techniques. This is expressed in the minimalism of the design, facade and interior decor; the uniqueness lies in the skillful play with the geometric shape of the building itself and individual elements, such as a zigzag roof and rectangular windows of different sizes.
home eastern tradition, which consists of the curved edges of the roof, is found in the building of the National Library in Sejong, which is a curved concrete volume with glazing on both sides of the facade.
The Centercity gallery building in Cheonan is quite the opposite. The conceptual solution fully meets the latest advances in technology and architecture. A special feature is the interactive two-layer facade made of aluminum panels, which creates the optical illusion of a wave-like surface, the changes of which depend on the person’s viewing angle.
Korean architecture amazes not only with large-scale multifunctional buildings, but also with pavilions designed for various forums, conferences and exhibitions. Despite the fact that these are temporary events, the authors take the design of pavilions seriously, carefully developing ideas for the facades. The pavilion of the Hyundai automobile concern for Expo 2012 fully corresponded to the brand concept: the dynamic facade symbolized constant change - the main key in the company's philosophy. The futuristic effect was complemented by LED screens on the facade.
The ideas that Korean architects use are surprising and make us admire, such as the cafe-museum in the form of a Rolleiflex camera in Seoul, the appearance of which is an exact enlarged copy.
But sometimes the chosen topics are misleading. The Twin Towers in the South Korean capital resemble the frozen moment of the 9/11 New York bombing. However, the authors claim that even the name “The Cloud” refutes this information; when designing, they resorted to romantic motifs of lightness and the image of a skyscraper in the clouds.
The predominance of modern technologies, such as the presence of LED screens on the facades of buildings, the use of modern materials - glass, concrete, tiles, metal - undoubtedly indicates that Korea occupies a leading position in modern architecture. Uniqueness affects both office centers, pavilions, galleries, and simple residential buildings. Korean architectural firms are gradually becoming popular around the world, transforming the appearance of cities outside their country. Perhaps, such surprising and exciting examples will appear in Russia soon.
Introduction
The buildings are usually built on a stone foundation and topped with a curved roof with tiles, supported on brackets and supported by pillars. The walls are made of earth (adobe walls), or sometimes consist entirely of movable wooden doors. The distance between two pillars is about 3.7 m, the buildings are designed so that there is always space between the “inside” and “outside” parts of the house.
The cantilever or bracket structure is a specific architectural element that has been designed in various ways over time. If simple brackets were already used during the Goguryeo state period (-668), then in the palaces of Pyongyang, for example, a curved version was used (brackets were placed only on the capitals of the building's columns), which was developed during the Goryeo dynasty (-1392). A striking example is the Amit Hall of Phuseok Temple in Andongye. Later, starting from the middle of the Goryeo Dynasty and even before the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, under the influence of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (-1368), a complex cantilever system was developed in which brackets were also placed on transverse horizontal beams. Namdaemun in Seoul, a national treasure of Korea, is perhaps the most famous example of buildings with this structure.
Log houses were built by laying one log horizontally on top of another. The gaps between the logs were covered with clay to prevent drafts. Houses of this kind still exist in the mountainous areas of Gangwon Province in South Korea.
Excavated houses, which may have appeared in the southern regions, are believed to have been built as warehouses to keep grain away from animals and in excellent condition. This style of architecture survives in the form of two-story shelters and observation posts in gardens in the countryside.
During the Mumun ceramic era, buildings were pit dwellings with mud walls or roofed roofs. The raised floor first appeared on the Korean Peninsula in the middle of the Mumun era (850-550 BC).
According to the Chinese texts of the San-guo zhi, there were three types of Korean housing during this period: the dugout, the log house or log house, and above-ground houses. However, only the remains of dugouts can be identified. The dugouts consisted of a pit, 20-150 cm deep, and a span of grass and clay, supported by a triangular wooden structure that protected from wind and rain. Neolithic dugouts had a round or oval pit about 5-6 m in diameter with a hearth in the center. Most of the early dugouts were located on hills. After these dwellings began to be built near rivers, the pits acquired a rectangular shape, and also became large and with two separate hearths. In 108 BC. BC, after the fall of the Gojoseon Kingdom, Chinese rule was established. Government buildings of this period were constructed of wood, brick and tile roofing, having features of Chinese construction. Chinese architecture influenced Korean architecture.
The era of the three Korean states (approximately 3-4 centuries - 668)
General architecture
Religious architecture
Reconstruction of the oriental stone pagoda, which was built during the Baekje era at Mirauksa Temple.
The construction of Buddhist temples was greeted with enthusiasm after the spread of Buddhism in 372 from Northern China. A series of excavations carried out in -1938 revealed sites with several large temples near Pyongyang, as well as in the areas of Cheongam-ri, Wono-ri and Sango-ri. Excavations have revealed that the temples were built in the Goguryeo style known as "Three Halls - One Pagoda", with a hall on the east, west and north sides of the pagoda, and an entrance gate on the south. In most cases, pagodas had an octagonal layout. Palace buildings, apparently, were arranged in the same way.
The state of Baekje was founded in 18 BC. e. and its territories included West Coast Korean Peninsula. After the fall of the Nannan Kingdom, the state of Baekje established friendly relations with China and Japan. Great temples were built during this time. The earliest stone pagoda from Myryuksa Temple in Iksan is of particular interest because it shows the transition from wooden to stone pagodas. The state of Baekje adopted various influences on architecture: pagodas especially emphasized their origins from Chinese models. Later, important elements of the Baekje architectural style were adopted by Japan.
Baekje was heavily influenced by Goguryeo and Southern China. Once the state's borders expanded south, the capital was moved from Wire to Unjin (now Gongju) in 475, and in 538 to Sabi (now Buyeo). During this period, the art reached perfection and surpassed the art of Goguryeo. Also, one of the features of Baekje architecture is the use of curved structures. Although none of the Baekje buildings survive, only the remains of non-wooden structures from all three early Korean states, including Baekje, are now discovered. It is possible to draw any conclusions about the architecture of Baekje thanks to a detailed examination of the Horyu-ji Temple from Japan, which architects and technicians from the state of Baekje helped build. Baekje architecture in Japan flourished with the introduction of Buddhism in 384. At sites where buildings stood during the three early Korean states, patterned tiles and other remains are found, as well as stone pagodas that survived bad times, indicating the highly developed culture of Baekje.
The Mireuksa Temple site, the largest in Baekje, was discovered in 1980 in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do Province. Excavations carried out at this site revealed many facts about Baekje architecture that were previously unknown to the world. The stone pagoda at Mirauksa Temple is one of the two existing pagodas of Baekje architecture. Miryksa Temple had an unusual structure of three pagodas, which were installed in a straight line running from east to west. Each pagoda had a hall on the north side. Each pagoda and hall appeared to be surrounded by covered corridors, giving the appearance of three separate temples in the "One Hall, One Pagoda" style. The pagoda discovered in the center of the temple was made of wood, while all the others were made of stone. Sites of a large main hall and central gate were discovered to the north and south of the wooden pagoda.
When excavations were carried out in 1982 at the site of Cheongnimsa Temple, which also contained a site of a pagoda of Baekje architecture, the remains of the main and lecture halls located on the main axis were discovered one after another to the north of it. The remains of the central gate, the main gate and the reservoir, located on the main axis one after the other, were also discovered to the south of the same pagoda. It turned out that the temple was surrounded by corridors from the central gate to the lecture hall. The "One Pagoda" style was typical of Baekje architecture. This is confirmed by the results of excavations carried out in 1964 on the territory of the Kunsu-ri region and the Kumgansa Temple in Buyeo. However, the sections of the Kumgansa Temple buildings located on the main axis run from east to west rather than from south to north.
Silla was the last of the three kingdoms to become a developed kingdom. Many Buddhist temples were built in this kingdom. One of the most famous examples of Silla architecture is Cheomseongdae, considered to be the first stone observatory in Asia. Cheomseongdae was built during the queen's reign Seondeok(-). This structure is known for its unique and elegant shapes.
Silla came under Buddhist influence in
Despite the fact that the Republic of Korea was officially formed only in 1945, it has a very long history. South Korea is a modern country whose culture and architecture have perfectly preserved ancient traditions.
The country got its name from the ancient country of Koryo, which existed back in the first millennium AD. South Korea simply fascinates with its huge variety of ancient monuments, statues, Buddhist monasteries and temples. They all have their own history and are the pride of the country.
Seoul is the capital of the Republic, the most developed and beautiful city. It houses the so-called “Palace of the Radiant Sun”, or “Gyeongbokgung Palace”. This breathtakingly beautiful place was built in the fourteenth century AD, and for a long time was the stronghold of the great ruling Joseon dynasty. This palace was built by King Lee Song-Gye. He also moved the capital from Gyeongju to the city of Seoul. The amazing architecture of Gyeongbokgung Palace even today clearly demonstrates the whole life of medieval Korea.
In addition to the Palace of the Radiant Sun, one of the main attractions of the capital of South Korea is Changdeokgung Palace. It still houses the residence of the country's queen. It should be noted that this building has been restored, since it was damaged by fire at the beginning of the last century. In Changdeokgung Palace there is a Biwon Garden, on the territory of which centuries-old trees grow. In addition, this palace is the only one in Korea that has completely preserved all the elements of the ruling Joseon dynasty. Therefore, it is not surprising that Changdeokgung is a place of constant migration of researchers and tourists.
One of the oldest monuments of the Republic of Korea is the Munhaksanseong Fortress, located in the city of Incheon. This incredibly large structure was built back in 300 AD. Thanks to the strong walls and thoughtful architectural structure, the fortress was practically not reconstructed. Back during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty, a Confucian school was organized on the territory, which operates to this day. There are also two beautiful artificial pond with adjacent beaches.
In the city of Busan there is a large Korean wall. Construction work here continued for a century and the walls were finally completed only in 1807. Also in this city it is impossible to ignore marine park Taejeongdae, fish market and Haeundae suburban beach. However, the main pride of the city of Busan is considered the most famous temple Thondos. It is the most revered temple of the Republic, as it contains the relics of the great Buddha.
In addition to wonderful museums, Daegu is also home to Haeinsa Temple. This temple was built back in the ninth century AD and is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in the country. The temple contains the most ancient Buddhist scriptures, revealing the meaning of life and the secrets of the universe. In the city of Gyeongju, former capital South Korea, there is one of the most ancient temples - Bulguksa Temple. Its second name is “Monastery of the Kingdom of Buddha.” This temple became famous thanks to the huge Emile Bell, which has a diameter of two meters and a height of four meters. Not far from the temple is the ancient Cheomseongdae Observatory and Tumuli Park.
Over the past quarter century, South Korea has rapidly burst into the ranks of the most developed countries in the world. Of course, the modern architecture of this country, striking with its original forms, environmental friendliness and functionality, served as an echo of such dramatic changes. Our review presents 24 amazing examples of modern architecture in South Korea, which no tourist will pass by.
The modern Rainbow Fountain Bridge was opened in May 2009 in the capital of South Korea. This is the longest (length - 1140 m) fountain bridge in the world, officially listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It is interesting that, unlike most fountains that shoot upward, the streams of the Rainbow Fountain are directed to the sides and downwards. Water is withdrawn and discharged into the Han River, and its flow rate is 190 tons per minute. The process of water intake and release is carried out thanks to 38 specially installed pumps. The Seoul Bridge is considered one of the most recognizable in the world.
2. Vi-Sang House in Gyeonggi-do
The avant-garde house Vi-Sang House was built according to the design of the Korean architectural bureau Moon Hoon in 2011. This building, located in Gyeonggi City, is designed for a single family. The extremely unusual architecture of this dwelling made it a truly iconic object for a small town. It is worth recognizing that despite the apparent uniqueness of the Vi-Sang House structure, compositional techniques traditional for the Korean architectural school were used in its design. The main difference between the house and the surrounding buildings is its unique geometry, which turned an ordinary house into a real art object. The interiors coincide with the overall composition, which is dominated by avant-garde minimalism with geometry.
The modern arts center building, erected in 2012, is located near Seoul, in the city of Songwon. It is not surprising that the new 5-story (3 floors are underground, 2 are above ground level) cultural complex has become a real attraction and a gathering place for tourists. There are exhibition halls on two underground floors, above them, also underground, there is parking for guests of the complex, and two ground floors are allocated for restaurants, shops, cafes and bars. Among other accolades, this building received the status of one of the most environmentally friendly in the country.
In 2009, the architectural studio BCHO architects from Seoul designed a luxurious and ultra-modern office complex of two 17-story towers called Twin Trees, and 2 years later the new facility found its place in the capital. city. The main stylistic theme of the project was its resemblance to the branching structure of a tree trunk. Each tower has its own "roots" - eight additional floors located below ground level. The two main volumes of the complex are connected by pedestrian and transport routes. Today, many consider Twin Trees to be the new symbol of the city of Seoul.
5. Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul
SAMOO Architects and Engineers has developed a project to expand an existing art museum building in northeast Seoul. It includes a large park area around the building, which, with the help of the museum’s “green” roof, forms a single space with it. The extremely neat and “green” design of the building is intended to enliven the surrounding urban landscape, which consists mainly of high-rise buildings. In addition to exhibition premises, the museum has a library and a multimedia complex available to every resident and guest of the capital.
The Hyundai Development Corporation office building with its incredible Tangent façade was built in the South Korean capital in 2005. Such an original facade, according to the author, should connect the business center with public spaces - parks, squares and the city square. Thanks to the famous architect Daniel Libeskind, the Hyundai headquarters has become one of the main tourist attractions in Seoul.
A unique cinema with the longest cantilever roof in the world (85 m reach) was built in Busan in 2011 according to a design by the world-famous Austrian bureau Coop Himmelb(l)au. Inside the console there is a large lobby and café. The building is given a special effect of night illumination by LED panels installed on the façade, which also act as a screen during film festivals and other cultural events taking place in Busan. According to estimates, the building can accommodate about 7 thousand visitors at a time. In addition to cinema halls, the complex includes restaurants, a large auditorium with a capacity of 1000 seats, as well as various public and recreational spaces.
“The Dreamy Camera” is the name of a small two-story cafe-museum located about 9 km from the eastern outskirts of Seoul. The peculiarity of the cafe is that the building itself is stylized as a rare two-lens Rolleiflex camera. Two huge “lenses” act as convex windows, illuminating both floors of the building and offering visitors beautiful views of the local nature.
Exhibition complex located in the central part of Busan. It hosts international exhibitions, all kinds of seminars, conferences, fairs and corporate events. The main elements of the complex can be considered 3 exhibition halls, which are separated from each other by special movable partitions, and a meeting room. All halls are equipped with the most modern equipment - huge plasma panels, sound equipment, electronic boards, etc. Underscoring the significance of the new facility, it is worth mentioning the fact that it was chosen as the venue for the annual Asia-Pacific Summit to discuss issues of peace and prosperity for society.
N Tower in Seoul, which opened in 1980, is South Korea's most popular observation deck. The height of the tower reaches 236 m. In addition, this structure is located on the 262-meter Namsan Hill, which allows numerous tourists to view the surrounding area from a height of almost 500 m above the ground. The observatory is equipped with modern telescopes, through the magnifying glass of which you can see the neighborhoods and streets of Seoul in the smallest detail. Also on the N tower there is a cafe, a cinema, an exhibition center, souvenir shops and two restaurants serving Korean and Italian cuisine, one of which constantly rotates around its own axis. The tower looks especially amazing at night thanks to its picturesque lighting.
11. Modern building of the Centercity gallery in Cheonan
The modern building of the Centercity gallery was built according to the design of the international architectural studio UNStudio in Cheonan in 2011. The main feature of this project was the interactive two-layer facade made of aluminum panels. The outer walls of this structure create an optical illusion of a wavy surface that changes depending on the angle of view of a person. Unique lighting is provided by lamps invisible from the outside. Centercity Gallery includes a spacious atrium on the ground floor, shops, boutiques, VIP rooms for special guests, an art center, exhibition rooms, a media library, a customer service center and a rooftop terrace.
The Northeast Asia Trade Tower is considered the most important landmark of the Songdo business district in Incheon. The 65-story tower holds the title of the tallest building in all of South Korea. The height of this structure, built in 2004, is about 305 m, and its total area is 140 thousand sq.m. About a third of the building is occupied by office space, and the rest is given over to shops, restaurants and a large five-star hotel. On the 65th floor, visitors can visit observation deck, offering stunning panoramic views of Incheon city. Incredibly, the skyscraper is served by sixteen high-speed elevators, the movement of which is designed so that you do not have to wait more than seven seconds for them.
In 1993, the World Exhibition “Expo-93” was held in Daejeon, the main theme of which was “Choosing a new path of development.” A unique bridge was built especially for the opening of the exhibition, which soon became the main attraction of the city. The bridge structure consists of two large cable-stayed elements. This engineering structure looks especially beautiful at night, when the bridge’s unique illumination system begins to work.
The National Library in Sejong was built according to the design of architects from the S.A.M.O.O. architects & engineers" in 2010. The library building is a curved concrete volume with glazing on the main facade. You can enter the building from the large square. On the first two floors there are reading rooms of different sizes, on the third - lecture halls and conference rooms, on the fourth - a large dining room, and on the roof there is an open terrace with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Sejong. The library's collection is represented by books both in the usual paper format and in electronic format.
The Taeyang Art Gallery complex was built in Seoul according to the design of the famous American architect Steven Holl in 2011. The structure consists of gallery rooms, on the roof of which there are three pavilions and a small pond, which creates the necessary level of illumination of the rooms below with the help of special openings. It is curious that the walls of the pavilion, lined with copper sheets on the outside, are covered with wood inside. Over the short period of its existence, the Taeyang Gallery has become one of the most iconic objects in the city of Seoul.
The Kyeong Dok Jai residential building was designed by Korean architects from Iroje KHM in Gyeonggi-do in 2013. The customer for the dream home was a small family. The main idea of the designers was the concept of maximum openness of the building. The facade of the house is a curved frame made of vertical pipes, protecting the house from direct sunlight and the curious glances of passersby. The interior corresponds to the general concept of the building. There are broken lines everywhere, double-glazed windows are curved, railings are made in the form of inclined pipes, etc.
The 8-storey futuristic building of the International Convention Center was built in 2010 according to the design of the Coop Himmelb(l)au bureau. For the construction of an incredible complex with an area of 90,000 sq. m required about 40,000 tons of steel and 70,000 tons of concrete. The architecture is an asymmetrical curvilinear form, which is characteristic of Austrian authors. The main entrance faces the sea. The facades, striking the imagination of viewers, are formed by numerous insets, folds, roundness and depressions. It is curious that for the exterior decoration of the building, technologies were used that were previously used exclusively in the field of shipbuilding.
The modern cultural complex Kring was built by Unsangdong Architects in the center of Seoul in 2008. Its architecture is distinguished primarily by its extremely unusual and bright façade with round shapes that act as windows and decorative elements. Also very impressive is the glass cylindrical passage that connects various objects on the territory of the complex - offices, cafes, conference rooms and spaces for cultural events and exhibitions.
The educational complex Project Ecorium opened in 2013 and became part of the Ecoplex park, created on the initiative of the National Environmental Institute in Socheon County. Within the walls of the “Ecorium Project” you can get acquainted with the problems of ecology, environmental protection and biodiversity using the example of representatives of various ecosystems. You can get to the building itself through a network of botanical gardens laid out along the territory turned into a lake. The new educational complex is a series of greenhouse structures united by a common podium space. Each of them recreates the unique atmosphere of a particular climate zone.
20. Gangnam-style shopping mall in Seoul
Built in 1980, Chunga House has been converted into a modern shopping center in the Gangnam style. The name of this elite and extremely expensive area in Seoul became known throughout the world thanks to the super popular hit Gangnam Style by singer PSY. In order to emphasize compliance with the declared style, the Koreans began to frantically rebuild almost all the old houses that did not fit into the overall picture. Many consider the most successful reconstruction to be the Chunga House, which was modified in 2009. The reconstruction took only 9 months. It is worth recognizing that the architects radically changed the appearance of the building - they added another floor, which now houses a cafe and an open terrace, white tiles were used instead of the old stone cladding, etc. The main feature of the new building is the presence of LED screens illuminated in different colors.
The pavilion of the oil company GS Caltex was designed by the architectural studio Atelier Bruckner specifically for the international exhibition Expo 2012 in Yeosu. The architecture of the pavilion is a dynamic structure similar to a rice field. The main motive for the creation of this architectural and artistic group was the desire to express the influence of various weather conditions and natural factors on the quality and quantity of the harvest of all grain crops. The structure consists of interactive elements that change appearance and begin to glow with one touch. At the top of the pavilion there is a round room with multi-colored light projections.
The international airport, located 70 kilometers from the capital of South Korea, was put into operation in 2001. The airport complex consists of three terminals, which house Duty Free shops, restaurants, cafes, as well as an exclusive infrastructure of amenities - golf courses, bedrooms, massage rooms, a fitness club, a casino and winter gardens. The airport in Incheon is the country's largest aviation hub and one of the largest airports in the world in terms of international air traffic. Incheon International Airport ranked eighth on the list of Asia's busiest airports based on total passenger traffic.
The pavilion of the Hyundai automobile concern was designed by Unsangdong Architects specifically for the international exhibition Expo 2012. Particular attention in the architecture of this object should be paid to the dynamic facade of curves, creating the illusion of movement and artistically embodying the philosophy of constant change that the famous brand adheres to. A special effect of the futuristic building is given by the huge screens on the facades, which add different colors to the monochromatic sculptural form.
The 33-story Samsung Jongno Tower is located near the Jonggak subway station in the capital, and is considered one of the most recognizable buildings in Seoul. Of particular interest to tourists is the unique design of the structure, which was developed by the famous architect Rafael Viñoly. Construction of the 132-meter tower was completed in 1999, on the eve of the city's millennium celebrations. Jongno Tower includes numerous office premises of the Samsung Corporation, a small hotel, various shops, boutiques, and a restaurant with panoramic views of the largest metropolis.
The architecture of South Korea is represented not only by ultra-modern complexes and skyscrapers, but also by unusual lighthouses, which we talked about in the article. The new sports facility that opened in Incheon, South Korea, deserves special mention, information about which can be found in our material. An increase in the pace of development, expressed, among other things, in the improvement of architecture, is a phenomenon inherent not only in South Korea, but also in many Asian countries. You can learn about the architecture of some of them from our materials:, and.