Dongmyung University Department of Architecture Achieves Most Awards Nationwide for 11 Consecutive Years at Korea Architecture Awards

Proving the Effectiveness of Practice-Oriented Design Education
Success Continues in Entering Major Architectural Firms

The Department of Architecture at Dongmyung University continued its streak as the university with the most awards nationwide for the 11th consecutive year, with seven 4th and 5th-year students receiving honors at the 44th Korea Architecture Awards.

The Korea Architecture Awards, now in its 44th year, is the most prestigious architectural competition in the country and serves as a key platform for discovering the next generation of architects. This achievement is seen as further proof that the design capabilities of Dongmyung University's architecture students are among the best in the nation.

At this year's competition, seven students from Dongmyung University's Department of Architecture were recognized: 5th-year students Dongkyu Kim and Yuna Lee (both awarded the Special Prize); 5th-year students Jaeyoon Kim, Yujeong Choi, and Jiseong Son; and 4th-year students Chaeun Lee and Gyuyoung Lee (all awarded Honorable Mention). The award-winning works were exhibited at the 2025 Korea Architecture Culture Festival, held from October 21 to 25 in the Nodeulseom area of Seoul.

Student Dongkyu Kim from the Department of Architecture at Dongmyung University. Photo by Dongmyung University

Yuna Lee, Department of Architecture, Dongmyung University. Provided by Dongmyung University

This year's competition theme was "Architecture of (In)Completion," highlighting works that explored the value of buildings that have not changed over time and proposed open-ended conclusions.

Dongkyu Kim's Special Prize-winning work, "Floating Link," addressed the disconnection between Bujeon Station, Bujeon Market, and Busan Citizens Park-three spaces completed more than 30 years apart-by proposing an aerial connection device. The project received high praise for its three-dimensional integration of pedestrian and vehicular circulation, as well as for introducing the concept of a "city vibrant 24 hours a day."

In addition to these competition results, the Department of Architecture has also shown strong performance in job placements at major architectural design firms. For example, 5th-year student Junhui Ryu recently secured a position at NOW Architects, demonstrating how competition achievements are directly translating into career competitiveness.

Dongmyung University's Department of Architecture operates the nation's only Ministry of Education-designated specialized double major program in BIM (Building Information Modeling). Upon graduation, students earn both a Bachelor of Architecture and a Convergence BIM major. The department has established a practice-oriented international design education model through initiatives such as full support for student competitions, joint regular classes with Paris-Belleville School of Architecture in France, exchange programs with the University of Kansas in the United States, and regular architectural field trips.