Drawing of Seoul’s Next 100 Years

Travelling abroad to Seoul was an incredibly enriching part of my Masters of Architecture Design Studio. My Design Studio was run under the 4th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2023, Land Architecture, Land Urbanism: City of Mountain Ranges, Waterways, and Wind Breezes— Drawing of Seoul’s Next 100 Years.

Our studio was centered around proposing a new land bridge across the Han River in Seoul. The trip became not only an enriching opportunity to shape our design proposal for the remainder of the semester, however, it also allowed me to greatly expand my understanding and appreciation of architecture as an emerging architectural graduate.

This allowed me to explore the city’s deep history and fascinating architectural design. As a student of architecture, I was eager to learn more about the culture and history of Seoul, and South Korea and experience how that shapes some of the city’s most famous building and design practices.

Throughout the week we visited famous architectural buildings and practices whilst also immersing ourselves in the rich culture and delicious food of Seoul. We visited remarkable buildings and public spaces such as EWHA Women’s University by Jean Nouvel,

Amorepacific by David Chipperfield, Seoullo by MDRVD, Seoul National University Gallery by OMA, and Mimesis by Alvaro Siza. One of the highlights of the trip was a day trip to Heyri Village, which is a fascinating epoch of contemporary architecture.

I was particularly compelled by how the architecture of Seoul balances between a strong recognition of its rich past and history, whilst designing and planning for the future. This was especially highlighted in Won Buddhist Temple by MASS Studies, which shifts between a traditional Buddhist temple, and also becomes a contemporary spatial device that brings together and links the city.

My trip to Seoul provided an initial glimpse into the fascinating ways in which practice shifts in different countries, contexts, and firms. Travel was harnessed as a potential way to develop our projects, propose alternative ways of thinking, and immerse ourselves in the history and styles of architecture. It is a special opportunity that I hope I will be able to have key takeaways that I can bring back into my work as I commence the next stage of my career.

Lily Cannon
Master of Architecture
Manufactured Landscapes (the landbridge) in the Republic of Korea
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship recipient