Architecture Is Not Art

Seung Hchioh Sang had no specific reason to become an architect. He wanted to study theology in college, which his family strongly discouraged. His sister suggested that he study architecture, and this is how his journey in the field started. At school, he paid little to no attention in class but enjoyed studying alone. Seung told himself that since he had started studying architecture, he wanted to see what it was about. Since embarking on this decadeslong journey, he has sought to devise his own style of architecture. ¡°When I was younger, I took part in a protest against the country¡¯s dictatorship but this didn¡¯t mean I could change the world. I did, however, find architecture valuable for changing society to a larger degree,¡± he said. ¡°I clearly saw nothing better than architecture to realize the values I believe in.

Seung appreciates and values what architects do and likens their work like that of a priest. ¡°While the world has changed a lot, a crisis is always looming. Society doesn¡¯t advance on its own but simply changes. The responsibility of intellectuals is to guide society toward the right direction, and architecture should play a role in making the world better rather than just being beautiful art.¡± When he completed his first design project Masan Catholic Church in 1997, his work as an architect felt rewarding. ¡°A factory worker with a sad face entered the church to pray and came back out at peace. It was an incredible experience to see the place I created change people¡¯s minds,¡± he said.

A House Doesn¡¯t Belong to the Owner

Seung requires a higher level of voluntary emptiness. ¡°My clients pay whether they¡¯re rich or not but it still means they can afford it. ¡®Esthetics of the poor¡¯ is a suggestive philosophy to the affluent: why not live with less? If they don¡¯t like it, I can¡¯t help it,¡± he said.

Those who want to build on the land they paid for often find it difficult to understand this concept. Things have improved since his ideas have spread throughout the world, but Seung said he occasionally got into intense arguments at times that alienated him from his clients due to his stubborn personality and refusal to abandon his philosophy. He said he still tries to explain the value of publicity to his clients. ¡°What matters is the people who actually live in the building, not the ones who own them. When someone wants to build a 100-story building in between a group of 50-story buildings, I suggest that we go lower or provide space to take shelter from the rain.¡±

Making his own path through life, his architecture has found its voice in society. He never hesitated to communicate with people and convey a righteous voice to the world on his journey to coming the position to shape national policy toward architecture. ¡°Architects shouldn¡¯t be the subordinates of landlords; this is harmful to both landlords and architects. The ideal is to have both sides work toward the same vision,¡± he said. ¡°If an architect creates an arbitrary design, it goes against the nature of the job of building other people¡¯s houses and we can¡¯t do it. We must constantly think about what is ideal, and every stroke on a blueprint has to be perfect for clients. As a house doesn¡¯t belong to its landlord, an architect doesn¡¯t own the home¡¯s architecture.¡±

Contemplation Is Essential to Life

Seung¡¯s architecture is getting more mature. Getting off the ground with his first Sujoldang project, he also designed Daejeon University Hyewha Cultural Center and President Roh Moo-hyun Cemetery. Myeongrye Sacred Hill was also recently reborn with his hands. His principles are growing even deeper to another level of contemplation. ¡°All graves are being pushed out of the city and corrupt religious institutions have become despicable. How to recover from this is the biggest question to me today.¡±

The simplicity highlighted in Seung¡¯s architecture illustrates the fundamentals of its essence and people. Materials such as concrete, wood and weathering steel fade away and reflect the changing times and the lives of residents. He said his architecture strives to invite others to look themselves in the eyes.

¡°What cities need are sacred places and empty spaces where people pass and straighten their clothes,¡± he said. ¡°Graves are easily found in Korea¡¯s neighbor Japan or even faraway Western countries, which lets people embrace the concept of death. It makes them think about how they want to live their lives. It doesn¡¯t necessarily have to be graves but any divine places nearby will get people to reflect on life.¡±

On if he had any message to aspiring architects, Seung said he wants to give genuine advice as a person rather than secrets. ¡°You have to live with resentment. Your anger prevents corruption when you can handle it. If you don¡¯t have that in your heart, you¡¯ll end up corrupt. I resented the military dictatorship in college, but I now resent the brute force of bourgeois capitalism or those who harm community values,¡± he said. ¡°Everyone should have something that makes them resentful and passionate. The next step is to observe yourself. Read anything, from novels to philosophy or history books. And you can objectively observe yourself. This enables you to do architecture. Architecture is not for yourself.¡±

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• Seung Hchioh Sang Profile

  Company

   1989
  Founded IROJE

  Major Projects

   1993
  Sujoldang
   2008
  Daejeon University¡¯s 30th Anniversary Hall
   2009
  President Roh Moo-hyun Cemetery
   2018
  Myeongrye Sacred Hill

  Books

   1996
  ¡°Esthetics of the Poor¡±
   1999
  ¡°City of Wisdom, Architecture of Wisdom¡±
   2012
  ¡°Beautiful Things from Old Times¡±

  Awards

   1997
  Grand Prize at Korean Architecture Awards
   2002
  Honorary Prize at American Institute of Architects
   2007
  Prize at Korea Arts & Culture Awards

  Education

   1971 to 75
  Seoul National University
   1980 to 81
  Vienna University of Technology