Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Jowon Building, Seismic Reinforcement for a 'Safe Shared Complex Space' Renovation

Start of Spatial Restructuring Project and Enhanced Safety Performance, Scheduled for Completion by End of 2025
Reborn as a Building with 'Special Grade' Seismic Resistance to Withstand Magnitude 9 and Level 7 Earthquakes

Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education's Jowon Office Building will be reborn as a seismic design 'special grade' structure.

Exterior view of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Jowon Building. Provided by Gyeonggi Office of Education

The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education (Superintendent Lim Tae-hee) announced on the 6th that it plans to apply seismic design to the spatial restructuring of the aging Jowon Office Building, repairing and reinforcing it to become a safer building.

In accordance with the 'Earthquake and Volcano Countermeasures Act,' the Office conducted a seismic performance evaluation service for the Jowon Office Building in June this year. Reflecting the results, it decided to strengthen repairs and reinforcements on major structural parts and install steel brace members to securely ensure structural performance.

Additionally, efforts will be made to preserve the architectural beauty of the building by maximizing the use of the existing office space. Even after seismic reinforcement, the design will facilitate easy safety inspections and maintenance to extend the building's lifespan.

The project targets the main building, rear building, and new building of the Jowon Office, which were constructed in 1967, 1979, and 2004, respectively. These buildings were designed without seismic design standards at the time of construction, making them structurally vulnerable to external shocks such as earthquakes.

In particular, the main and rear buildings were found to be vulnerable to safety in a detailed diagnosis conducted earlier on the 'structural condition and safety evaluation.' However, with this seismic design reinforcement project, they are expected to be reborn as seismic design 'special grade' buildings capable of withstanding a strong earthquake of magnitude 7 and seismic intensity 9.

Jin Sung-gyu, Director of the Talent Development Support Division at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, said, "After the completion of construction in December 2025, the Gyeonggi education family and nearby residents will be able to use the Jowon Office space more safely," adding, "We will continue to make efforts in facility inspection and management so that the new Jowon Office can be utilized as a safe shared complex space."