Korea's First 'Hanok Demolition Material Recycling Bank' Operated, Supplying Hanok Materials at Affordable Prices...Promoting 'Traditional Pavilion Construction Project' to Build Traditional Pavilions on Public Land as Resting Places for Residents
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) has achieved the great honor of receiving the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award in the Innovation Administration category at the '2020 Korea Public Architecture Awards.'
The 'Korea Public Architecture Awards' are given to local governments that have performed creative and efficient work to improve the quality of public buildings. Jongno-gu was delighted to receive the award for its case of the ‘Hanok Demolition Materials Recycling Bank Operation and Traditional Pavilion Construction Project.’
First, the ‘Hanok Demolition Materials Recycling Bank,’ which opened in February 2015, is Korea’s first and only facility established to systematically manage hanok materials that are inevitably demolished due to development or new building construction and to recycle them as traditional cultural resources.
Materials are supplied at affordable prices to those who wish to build new hanoks, and residents receive consultations and technical support from hanok experts. Even if the original appearance of the hanok disappears, the materials remain to help breathe new life into our living and residential environments.
Additionally, the ‘Traditional Pavilion Construction Project’ involves building traditional pavilions on public land to provide resting places for local residents. Starting in 2018, the district demolished an old pavilion in Waryong Park and constructed a traditional pavilion. In 2019, two more traditional pavilions, preserving the beauty of Korean architecture, were added at the Olympic Memorial National Life Center in Hyehwa-dong and Mugunghwa Hill in Gungjeong-dong.
This year, the district plans to construct various forms of traditional pavilions considering the surrounding environment and user characteristics. Currently, construction has begun on a traditional pavilion in Cheongjin Park, and a total of five sites, including Marronnier Park, the resting area behind Pyeongchang-dong Community Center, Doryeom Park, and Wonseo Park, have been selected and are underway.
Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “As the mayor of Jongno, the most Korean city, I will continue to implement various policies to build beautiful public architecture throughout the community and enhance the value of hanok architecture.”
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