12 Temples, Flowers, Trees, and Wells ... Places Where an Architectural Designer's Gaze Paused

Professor Choi Seung-bok of Silla University Publishes New Book 'Nature and Design'

Professor Choi Seung-bok of Silla University. Published a new book titled "Nature and Design."

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Tongdosa and Haeinsa Temples, Korea's temples, take center stage. The flowers, trees, and wells around the temples also play leading roles. The author is a professor and architectural designer.

Professor Choi Seung-bok of the Department of Architecture at Silla University has published "Nature and Design (Gimundang)," focusing on 12 major temples in Korea.

Professor Choi, who majored in design, frequently visited temples. Captivated by the charm of mountain temples in nature, he spent two years visiting various temples nationwide to prepare this book.

"Nature and Design" is a book that interprets the beauty of 12 representative Korean temples, including Tongdosa and Haeinsa, and the nature harmonizing with the temples?such as flowers, trees, forests, wells, and ponds?from a designer's perspective.

In the preface, Professor Choi begins by saying, "Whenever I think of nature, I always feel fresh and my heart trembles." The temples in nature he visits are healing spaces that help organize the troubled and weary hearts of modern people.

The book captures the beauty and harmony of commonly encountered scenes by visitors to temples, such as the shade under the wall of Tongdosa, the snow-covered pine forest of Haeinsa, and the ginkgo tree path that colors Buseoksa yellow, combining photos and sketches in an essay format.

Professor Choi, who says "a designer can be someone who easily organizes the complex visual relationships of nature," wrote the book so readers can turn the pages without specialized design knowledge.

He guides readers to naturally gain understanding and insight into the art, design, and history of temples in nature.

The author said, "When many people are together, conflicts arise, but it is rare to see such conflicts among the various components of nature," adding, "Like peaceful nature, designers need to make efforts to have a broad perspective so that spaces and their components can harmonize and coexist well."

Writing "a good book that is easy to read" and "creating a gift to give to someone precious" were the author's bucket list items. He said, "Although there were difficult moments while writing the book, I am happy to have achieved these two bucket list goals."

Professor Choi Seung-bok is currently a professor in the Department of Architecture, majoring in Interior Architecture Design at Silla University. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Interior Design from Pratt Institute in the United States and completed doctoral coursework in Management at the University of Phoenix. Professor Choi also has experience working as a designer at New York's Farrell Design and Gensler.