Podo Architects Office Sweeps 'Jecheon City Proud Architecture Awards'

Podo Architects Office CEO Kim Kyung-soon is receiving an award plaque at the '11th Jecheon City Proud Architecture Awards' ceremony held on the 2nd. Provided by Podo Architects Office

[Asia Economy (Chungbuk) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Kim Kyung-soon, CEO of Podo Architects Office, swept the ‘11th Jecheon City Proud Architecture Award’ presented by Jecheon City, Chungbuk.

CEO Kim submitted four works to the Jecheon City Proud Architecture Award, setting a record with all submitted works winning awards.

Kim’s works were selected for the Grand Prize and Encouragement Award in the residential category, and the Excellence Award and Encouragement Award in the non-residential category. The award ceremony was held on the 1st.

Jecheon City selects the ‘Jecheon City Proud Architecture Award’ to raise citizens’ interest in architectural culture and discover outstanding buildings, presenting plaques to designers and building owners.

Kim’s award-winning works in the non-residential category are the ‘Oksunbong Suspension Bridge Rest Area’ and the ‘Beron Holy Site Tourist Information Center.’ These works were highly praised for transforming the image of public restrooms, which were mainly recognized only as public toilets, into symbolic landmarks.

Exterior photo of 'Gangje-dong Detached House' by CEO Kim Kyung-soon, winner of the Excellence Award in the Residential Category of the 'Jecheon City Proud Architecture Award.' Provided by Podo Architects Office

The award-winning works in the residential category attracted attention for harmonizing sculptural exteriors and user behavior with surrounding environmental factors, completing the functional connection of interior spaces with high quality design.

Meanwhile, CEO Kim is an architect with over 30 years of design experience, including CM for Banyan Tree Hotel and supervision of Incheon Airport Terminal 2. After leaving Heerim Architects & Planners in 2018, he returned to his hometown Jecheon and opened Podo Architects Office in March of the same year.

Kim said in his acceptance remarks, “A bunch of grapes has marketability when each grape is healthy and sweet. Podo Architects Office will dedicate itself to making each small building with care so that the entire urban environment can be beautifully decorated.”