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Lee Eunseok

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In this Korean name, the family name is Lee.
Lee Eunseok
Born
Lee, Eunseok

(1962-10-31)31 October 1962
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
NationalityKorean
Alma materSorbonne University
École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-Belleville
Hongik University
OccupationArchitect
StyleKorean Modernism
AwardsArchitecture Master Prize (2019, 2020), Architizer A+Awards (2020), the Korean Architecture Culture Award (2003), the Korean Institute of Architects Award (2017, 2018, 2023), the Architecture Design Institute of Korea Award (2019), the Church Architecture Culture Award (2010, 2015, 2018)
PracticeAtelier KOMA, Kyung Hee University
BuildingsSaemoonan Church, Meditation Chapel, Son Yang Won Memorial Museum, Bujeon Glocal Vision Center, Heavenly Gem Church, Korean American Museum of Art and Cultural Center
ProjectsThe Millennium Gate (Seoul Ring)
Websitekomalee.com Lee Eunseok on Instagram

Lee Eunseok (Korean: 이은석; Hanja: 李恩石, born 1962) is an architect and architectural theorist from South Korea. He is a professor at Kyung Hee University and a French registered architect.[1] He was a student of Henri Ciriani, who is known as the successor of Le Corbusier.[2] Lee has designed various structures including the Millennium Gate (Seoul Ring), Saemoonan Church, Meditation Chapel, Son Yang Won Memorial Museum, National Museum of Korean Literature, National Gugak Center Performance Practice Hall, Bujeon Glocal Vision Center, Heavenly Gem Church, Korean-American Art & Cultural Center in LA.[1]

Eunseok Lee's design style can be classified as New Modernism, a Korean evolution of Modernist architecture.[2][3] His works emphasize 'geometric shapes' and 'conceptual verbs,' with a strong focus on public engagement and architectural hospitality.[4][2] He has designed a wide range of buildings in various types and sizes, including houses, residential complexes, commercial spaces, cafes, hotels, schools, memorials, art galleries, museums, performance venues, corporate offices, research institutes, convention centers, and landmarks.[1] He is particularly well-known in the architectural community for his monumental architecture and religious buildings.[5]

Early life and career

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Eunseok Lee graduated from the Department of Architecture at Hongik University and is a French registered architect (Architecte DPLG), having graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-Belleville.[1] He also obtained a Doctorate in Art History (Doctorat en histoire de l’art) from Pantheon-Sorbonne University, Paris 1. Currently, he is a professor in the Department of Architecture at Kyung Hee University.[1] His roles have included President of the Architecture Design Institute of Korea, a chief architectural consultant for Sejong City, and a member of the examination committee for the Korean Institute of Registered Architects (KIRA).[1][5]

In 1995, Lee became the first Korean to win first place in an international architectural design competition by winning the Korean American Museum of Art and Culture Center in Los Angeles, USA. This competition saw participation from 475 teams with over 1,600 individuals from 68 countries worldwide.[6] The jury included Richard Meier (Chairman), Michael Graves, Robert A.M. Stern, Kim Jong-sung, and Yoon Seung-jung among the seven members. His victory as a young, relatively unknown Korean architect left a significant impact in the architectural communities of the USA, France, and Korea, and marked his first major recognition in both domestic and international architectural circles.[7]

After returning to South Korea, in 1999, he won first place again in the Millennium Gate competition. This competition saw registrations from 181 teams, including renowned architects and artists like Nam June Paik, with 36 final design entries submitted. The jury was composed of leading figures in the Korean architectural scene at the time, including Jang Seok-woong (Chairman), Kang Seok-won, Ko Joo-seok, Kim Jin-kyun, Oh Hwi-young, Yu Wan, Lee Woo-jin, Ji Soon, and Han Do-ryong.[8]

Lee serves as the lead architect at Atelier KOMA. He has received numerous domestic architecture awards, including the Korean Architecture Culture Award (2003), the Korean Institute of Architects Award (2017, 2018, 2023), the Korean Architectural Design Association Award (2019), the Church Architecture Culture Award (2010, 2015, 2018), and architecture awards from Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and Gyeonggi-do.[1][5] His works have also been internationally recognized, winning awards such as the Architecture Master Prize(2019, 2020) and the Architizer A+Awards(2020).[5][1]

Style

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Korean Modernism

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Lee studied architecture under Henri Ciriani, who is recognized as one of the most faithful interpreters of the works of Le Corbusier, often hailed as the father of modern architecture.[2][3] Consequently, his designs align closely with the values of modernist architecture in their broader context, a tendency particularly evident in his early works.[9] However, rather than simply emulating Western modernism, he skillfully merged its principles with the values of traditional Korean architecture, further developing and refining it.[10]

While his works adhere to modern architectural design principles, they effectively capture the essence of Korea’s natural and urban landscapes, with spatial arrangements and utilization that are distinctly Korean.[9] Lee Eunseok’s designs stand out for incorporating values of traditional Korean architecture, such as chagyeong (借景),[11] the practice of integrating natural elements into the architecture; geomibullu, hwaibulchi (儉而不陋 華而不侈),[12] which emphasizes being modest without being shabby and splendid without being extravagant; and the flexible use of space through features like madang, openness, and yobak (餘白), the deliberate use of empty space.[10] In this sense, it might be more accurate to describe Lee Eunseok's designs not as pure modernism but as a form of Korean modernism or neo-modernism[3] that builds upon and advances the legacy of modernism.

Religious Architecture

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It is clear that Lee Eunseok has made significant contributions to the development of contemporary religious architecture.[13] Among Korean architecture students, there is even a joke that "studying church architecture is complete with just Lee Eunseok and Atelier KOMA."[14] Starting with Mokyang Church in Daejeon (1996), his first church design, and culminating in Saemoonan Church in Gwanghwamun (2019), Lee is known to have designed over 100 churches in South Korea.[15] Given that church construction has significantly declined in many other countries, architects who have designed as many churches as Lee are rare even on a global scale.[2]

Lee's prolific work has gradually challenged and reshaped the public perception of Christian architecture, which was once confined to the Gothic stereotype of "churches must be pointed."[15] Each new church he designed has influenced other architects, driving the evolution of modern church architecture.[15] His ability to accomplish such an extensive portfolio can be attributed not only to his skill as an architect but also to his devout Christian faith, which allowed him to deeply understand and reflect the needs of worshippers in his designs.[2]

In his book, New Church Architecture: Do It This Way, written after returning to South Korea, Lee proposed new directions for contemporary church architecture and categorized practical design types that churches could pursue.[16][17] Later, in Beautiful Church Architecture, he explored the question of "What makes a church beautiful?" through an analysis of various domestic and international examples.[16] This book became a bestseller in the field and is regarded as a textbook for church architecture.[18][15]

Lee is also credited as the first architect to use the "boxed cross" design.[9] In an interview, he revealed that he was inspired by the bell tower of the La Tourette Monastery, designed by Le Corbusier, during a past visit.[19] Unlike the decorative spires of Gothic cathedrals that aimed to stand out, Lee's boxed cross integrates seamlessly with the church’s existing volume and functions, emphasizing practicality.[9] This design has since been widely adopted by other architects and has become a trend in modern church architecture.[9][15] Variations include windowed boxed crosses, engraved boxed crosses, embossed boxed crosses, "ㄱ"-shaped boxed crosses, "ㄷ"-shaped boxed crosses, and "ㅁ"-shaped boxed crosses.[1]

Ideas

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Architectural Hospitality

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Architectural Hospitality is a concept extensively explored by Eunseok Lee in his book "Hospitality of Architect Eunseok Lee: Seven Thoughts Towards Open Architecture." In this book, the author describes seven architectural languages that can realize publicness and hospitality in building design: 1) Promenade and Escort, 2) Heritage and Consideration, 3) Symbolism and Metaphor, 4) Embracement and Fellowship, 5) Elevation and Openness, 6) Filling and Sharing, and 7) Nature and Meditation.[2]

Major works

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Books

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  • "Hospitality of Architect Eunseok Lee: Seven Thoughts Towards Open Architecture," Pixel House, 2023
  • "The World's Best Buildings," Phaidon, 2021
  • "Lifted Architecture, Open Value," Space Saga, 2019
  • "OPEN BGVC," Pixel House, 2018
  • "Point-Counterpoint, Trajectories of Ten Korean Architects, Paris," The Architectural Publisher, 2015
  • "Here, Connected: Korea-France Architecture Exhibition," Anyang Foundation for Culture & Arts (Kim Jung-up Museum), 2015
  • "Ecole de Paris," Pixel House, 2013
  • "5 Architects with Church Architecture," Space Time, 2010
  • "Beautiful Church Architecture," Duranno Publisher, 2008 - Awarded the Korean Christian Publishing Culture Award
  • "Lee Eunseok, Modern Church & Cultural Architecture," 2007
  • "Lee Eunseok, From Art to Architecture," 2007
  • "Architects of the World 37 (Lee Eunseok)," Architecture World, 2006
  • "Incomplete Modernity," Kyung Hee University, 2005
  • "New Church Architecture, Do It This Way," Duranno, 2001

Awards

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  • 2023 Korean Institute of Architects, Best 7 - Meditation Chapel
  • 2022 International Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services (Beyond Horizon)
  • 2021 International Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - National Museum of Korean Literature (Munhak Village)
  • 2020 Architizer A+Awards, Winner in Religious Architecture and Memorials Category - Saemoonan Church
  • 2020 Architecture Master Prize, 1st Place in Cultural Architecture Category - Son Yang-Won Memorial Museum
  • 2020 ArchDaily, Finalist for Building of the Year - Saemoonan Church
  • 2020 International Architectural Design Competition, Finalist - Korean Pavilion at Dubai Expo
  • 2019 Architecture Master Prize, 1st Place in Cultural Architecture Category - Saemoonan Church
  • 2019 Architecture Design Institute of Korea, Grand Prize - Bujeon Glocal Vision Center
  • 2018 Korean Institute of Architects, Best 7 - Son Yang-Won Memorial Museum
  • 2018 Church Architecture Culture Award - Dunsan Sungkwang Church
  • 2017 Korean Cultural Space Award - Son Yang-Won Memorial Museum
  • 2017 Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - National Gugak Center Performance Practice Hall
  • 2017 Busan Architectural Award, Gold Prize - Bujeon Glocal Vision Center
  • 2017 Korean Institute of Architects, Best 7 - Heavenly Gem Church
  • 2017 Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - Gaepodong Church
  • 2015 Church Architecture Culture Award - Busan Osan Church
  • 2015 Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - New Stay Wirye New Town Terraced Houses
  • 2014 Architectural Design Competition, Finalist - Seosomun History Park
  • 2014 Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - LH Sejong Headquarters Single-Family Housing Complex (Troa Hills)
  • 2013 Seoul Metropolitan City Architecture Award, Excellence Award - Chongshin University Sadang Campus Wing Building
  • 2013 Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - Son Yang-Won Memorial Museum
  • 2012 Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - Chongshin University Sadang Campus Wing Building
  • 2011 Gyeonggi-do Architecture Culture Award, Silver Prize - Neulsaem Church
  • 2011 Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - Bujeon Glocal Vision Center
  • 2010 Church Architecture Culture Award, Grand Prize - Beomeo Church
  • 2010 Church Architecture Culture Award, Silver Prize - Neulsaem Church
  • 2010 Gyeonggi-do Architecture Culture Award, Bronze Prize - Leean House
  • 2010 Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - Saemoonan Church
  • 2009 Daegu City Architecture Award, Silver Prize - Beomeo Church
  • 2006 Gangnam District Beautiful Building Award - Cheongdam Woojeonga
  • 2003 Korean Architecture Culture Award, Excellence Award - Gyeongsan Church
  • 2003 Gyeonggi-do Architecture Culture Award, Gold Prize - World Vision Church
  • 2000 International Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - The Millennium Gate (Seoul Ring)
  • 1995 International Architectural Design Competition, 1st Place - Korean American Museum of Art and Cultural Center in LA

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Atelier KOMA".
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 이, 은석 (2023-12-01). 건축가 이은석의 환대. 픽셀하우스.
  3. ^ a b c 김, 유진 (2015). 앙리 시리아니의 건축디자인 특성을 적용한 박물관 설계 계획안. 고려대학교.
  4. ^ 이, 은석 (2019-11-25). 들린 건축 열린 가치. 공간서가.
  5. ^ a b c d 오, 주연. "[공간서가+이은석] 새문안교회".
  6. ^ "한국건축미 세계에 우뚝". 매일신문. 1995-04-05.
  7. ^ "在佛건축가 이은석씨 美 국제설계공모 1등". JoongAng Ilbo. 1995-04-13.
  8. ^ 신현웅 (2021-12-18). "[세상사는 이야기] `천년의 문` 비가(悲歌)". 매일경제.
  9. ^ a b c d e (주)CNB미디어. "SPACE No.564".
  10. ^ a b 블루캐비넷. "BlueCabinet Vol.4".
  11. ^ lee_eunseok_archi. "National Museum of Korean Literature_2021 The borrowed scenary".
  12. ^ 조선일보. "광화문 '새문안교회'의 실험… 종교 건축의 방향을 묻다".
  13. ^ 건축공감. "[한국현대건축 16/100] 하늘보석교회_Heavenly Gem Church (건축가 이은석)".
  14. ^ DAMA. "이은석의 교회 건축".
  15. ^ a b c d e CGN. "교회는 최고의 예술 작품입니다 - 건축가, 경희대학교 이은석 교수 간증".
  16. ^ a b 이, 은석 (2001-05-08). 새로운 교회 건축 이렇게 하라. 두란노.
  17. ^ 교회갱신협의회. "교회 건축의 새 개념들과 실천적 유형 - 이은석 교수".
  18. ^ KCACI. "아름다운 교회건축".
  19. ^ KHURONE. "건축가 이은석 '첨탑이 사라짐에 생성되는 빈 하늘'".
  20. ^ C3Korea. "국립한국문학관 설계공모, '디엔비건축+이은석+코마건축' 당선".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ archdaily. "Meditation Chapel".
  22. ^ archdaily. "Saemoonan Church".
  23. ^ archdaily. "Son Yang Won Memorial Museum".
  24. ^ archdaily. "Bujeon Glocal Vision Center".
  25. ^ archdaily. "Heavenly Gem Church".
  26. ^ Design Jungle. "Leean House".
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