Master Plan Unveiled: "Architecture for People"
Focus on Everyday Building Facades... Citizen Participation Highlighted
Seoul City and British Embassy in Seoul Sign LOI for Cultural Exchange
"How are cities made?"
The Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale, an international event hosted by Seoul City every two years, will take place for about two months starting from September 26. This year, world-renowned British architect Thomas Heatherwick is serving as the general director, setting the vision and philosophy for the event. More than 400 global architects and professionals are expected to attend, aiming to promote architectural culture through exchanges in the urban architecture field.
According to Seoul City on June 5, Thomas Heatherwick unveiled the master plan for the 5th Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale at the British Embassy in Seoul that morning.
This year, the focus extends beyond the simple aesthetic perspective of buildings to the facades of architecture encountered in daily life. The intention is to explore how architectural exteriors affect the human brain, body, and society.
The event will feature four main exhibitions: the Thematic Exhibition, Urban Exhibition, Seoul Exhibition, and Global Studio, as well as various programs such as the Opening Forum (Global Dialogue) and citizen participation activities. At the forum scheduled for September 27-28, immediately following the opening ceremony, more than 400 experts from around the world will participate in discussions centered on the question "How are cities made?" to present new directions for the future of urban architecture.
At the Open Songhyeon Green Plaza, the main exhibition of the Seoul Biennale, the Thematic Exhibition, will be held. Through an eco-friendly large-scale installation measuring 90 meters in width and 16 meters in height, along with 24 outdoor sculptures, the exhibition will offer new perspectives on the relationship between urban architecture and people. The large installation showcased at the Thematic Exhibition was collaboratively produced by nine creative community teams in Seoul and domestic and international creators, with a special emphasis on citizen participation.
Citizen participation programs have also been prepared. Participants can select and draw facade elements of eye-catching buildings themselves, or explore major landscapes of Seoul to discover the city's hidden charms.
Prior to the master plan announcement, Seoul City and the British Embassy in Seoul signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for cultural exchange and cooperation in the urban architecture sector. The British Embassy plans to support the participation of British creators in the Seoul Biennale, share and promote innovative cases in urban architecture, and build networks of public and private experts. During the event, the embassy will also operate an open house tour program to encourage broader citizen participation. British Ambassador Crooks stated, "This year's Seoul Biennale is a symbolic event that showcases the synergy created by the creativity of the UK and the dynamism of Korea, with pioneering British designer Thomas Heatherwick as general director. The UK and Korea are working closely together in the cultural and creative industries."
Kim Seongbo, Second Vice Mayor of Seoul, also remarked, "This is a meaningful occasion where two creative cities and countries, Seoul and the UK, have come together through urban architecture to pursue mutual growth and create a sustainable future. I hope the Seoul Urban Architecture Biennale will become an opportunity for cities worldwide to share creative ideas and to widely promote Seoul's architectural culture and potential."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
