[Seoul's Future] Buildings That Are Only Stylish Create Closed Cities

Authoritative Structures of Public Buildings Including Cheongwadae and National Assembly
DDP Without Windows Also Disappointing, Communication Needed Over Landmark Status

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] "Seoul needs buildings that can communicate with their surroundings rather than just having a magnificent skyline or landmark buildings."

The Blue House, National Assembly Building, Seoul City Hall, Yongsan District Office, and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) are all outstanding architectural structures. However, according to Professor Jung Seok of the Department of Urban Engineering at the University of Seoul, these buildings are shameless and arrogant.

He stated, "The attitude of these buildings towards people and the streets differs; buildings like the Blue House, National Assembly, and Yongsan District Office seem to be thrusting their chests out in a very authoritative manner," adding, "It feels as if the buildings are flaunting their appearance while disregarding other buildings."

Professor Jeongseok, Department of Urban Engineering, University of Seoul. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Most of these buildings have a height difference between the street and the building entrance. To enter on the first floor, people must climb numerous stairs, but cars can use the driveway to stop right in front of the entrance. This can be seen as prioritizing cars over people. If the first floor and street were at the same level, there would be no need to create separate ramps for wheelchairs or strollers, so why insist on having a height difference between the street and the first floor?

"While there may be an intention to prevent flooding during rain, it also shows an attitude of 'you are lower than me,'" Professor Jung explained, adding, "If the height of the sidewalk and the first floor of the building are the same, that is the attitude of a building welcoming its customers." He lamented, "Most public offices such as Seoul City Hall, Yongsan District Office, and Seongnam City Hall in Gyeonggi Province are built this way. Public offices should humbly serve citizens, but ironically, the more public the office, the more authoritative its appearance tends to be."

Professor Jung pointed to the Industrial Bank of Korea headquarters in Euljiro as a relatively large building in Seoul that does not flaunt itself and shows a modest demeanor. Conversely, he criticized the DDP as a building that refuses to communicate.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

"DDP is a very arrogant building that exists solely as a magnificent sculpture without communicating with surrounding buildings or people," he said. The most notable feature of DDP is its lack of windows; despite being located in Dongdaemun, it does not establish relationships with other buildings and shows an attitude of not communicating with the streets or the city," Professor Jung analyzed.

He argued, "Seoul is becoming a closed city of apartment complexes that are like their own fortresses. Instead of high-rise buildings for a splendid skyline or landmark buildings, we need buildings that can communicate."

Professor Jung Seok of the Department of Urban Engineering at the University of Seoul is an urban design expert who has conducted major research projects across Seoul for over 30 years, including Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong preservation, and Amsa-dong Seowon Village. He majored in urban engineering at Seoul National University and earned his master's and doctoral degrees in urban design from the same institution. He worked as a researcher at the Seoul Development Institute (now Seoul Institute) for 13 years and has been an academic for 15 years, focusing on questions such as "What makes a good city?" and "What is a city?" His publications include , , , as well as research works like and .