Rebirth of Complex Cultural Space 'Jungnim Warehouse' Wins Korea Public Architecture Awards
Seoullo 7017~Jungnim Warehouse Old Alley Revitalized into 'St. Joseph Cultural Street'
[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has transformed an unauthorized shanty building and warehouse that had stood for over 50 years in the alley behind Seoul Station in Jungnim-dong, opposite St. Joseph Apartments, into a complex cultural space.
On the 2nd, Seoul City explained, "The 'Jungnim Warehouse,' which opened last November, is becoming a popular spot attracting local residents and tourists." The project was recently recognized for revitalizing the area around Jungnim Market into a vibrant alleyway by connecting various routes and spaces centered on Jungnim Warehouse, winning the Grand Prize at both the '2020 Korea Public Architecture Awards' and the '2020 Seoul Architecture Awards.'
Jungnim Warehouse is characterized by its unique form where the hillside road of Jungnim-dong and the building are connected as one space. It features a site length of 55 meters, width ranging from 1.5 to 6 meters, and a height difference of over 8 meters. The design maximizes the site’s characteristics and the place-specific qualities of the 'warehouse,' which has been part of local residents' memories for 50 years.
Seoul City announced that the next phase will be the 'St. Joseph Cultural Street Creation Project,' which will revitalize the aging alleyway (approximately 150 meters) extending from Seoul-ro 7017 to in front of Jungnim Warehouse. Construction will begin in September and be completed by October. This project is part of the 'Seoul-ro Phase 2 Connection Road Project,' which links Seoul-ro 7017 and surrounding areas through seven streets (Jungnim 1 & 2 Streets, Seogye 1 & 2 Streets, Huam 1 & 2 Streets, and Hoehyeon Street). Among these seven connecting streets, Jungnim 1 Street will be the first section to be unveiled.
The previously difficult-to-walk alley will be paved, and flowers and trees will be planted throughout to add brightness. Nighttime lighting facilities will be installed in the dark alleyways. The facades of long-standing local shops will also be improved. From the initial planning stage, residents, public architects, Seoul City, Jung-gu District, and the Seoul Urban Regeneration Social Cooperative collaborated, with the intermediary support organization Golmok Studio participating to complete a design plan suited to the local characteristics.
Through the St. Joseph Cultural Street Creation Project, the completed alley will be managed and operated proactively by local residents. This involves various village policies aimed at revitalizing commercial areas and protecting small business owners within the community, with residents taking the lead in implementing these policies in ways they desire. Seoul City and Jung-gu District plan to sign a 'Public-Private Cooperation Win-Win Agreement' with local residents in October when the project is completed.
Jungnim Warehouse is operated by the Seoul Urban Regeneration Social Cooperative under commission from Seoul City. The basement level 1 is used as a community facility for local residents, while the above-ground floors are occupied by the content company 'Urban Space Odyssey (USO),' operating as a profit-generating complex cultural space.
In this profit-generating complex cultural space, programs such as the 'Late Night Salon Lounge,' where people from various cultural fields including books, movies, and design can engage in conversations, are held, and retail facilities like bookstores are also operated. Since its opening, 25 programs including exhibitions and talk shows have been held over the past eight months, attracting a total of over 3,000 visitors.
The Seoul Urban Regeneration Social Cooperative is an urban regeneration enterprise mainly composed of local residents, established in April last year through the 'Seoul Station Area Urban Regeneration Project.' It currently manages eight hub facilities including Jungnim Warehouse and also serves as the Seoul Station Area Urban Regeneration Support Center.
Meanwhile, Seoul City has published 'Anchor - Seoul Station Area Urban Regeneration Spaces 8,' documenting the establishment process of eight anchor facilities born from the 'Seoul Station Area Urban Regeneration Project.' It covers stories related to site acquisition, planning, design, construction, and operation of the anchor facilities.
Ryu Hoon, Director of Seoul City’s Urban Regeneration Office, said, "Jungnim Warehouse plays a role as a complex cultural space that breathes new life into a deteriorated area and drives self-sustaining regeneration through profit generation, serving as the driving force behind Jungnim-dong’s urban regeneration. Once the aging alleyway revitalization project in the St. Joseph Apartments section is completed, it is expected to greatly contribute to the activation of the commercial area around Jungnim Warehouse and the alley. Residents will take the lead in continuously maintaining and managing it."
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