Third post, Se-un shopping center(세운상가)

today there was a conference at  se-un shopping center.

you might don't know anything about this huge building complex.
shortly, it is a group of 4 linear buidings in the center of Seoul city.

Se-un shopping center in the past

As you can see in picture above, the buildings overwhelmed surroundings.

this monster-like buildings were built in 1968, when South Korea was about to show rapid economic growth. 

 After Korean war(1950-1953), autocratic president at that moment wanted motivation for the people as well as a symbol of economical growth.

when the building is under construction.

So, Se-un shopping center was built as an symbol then.
4 buildings was constructed linearly, 1km length from end to end.
 It was the very first residential-commercial complex in Korea.

Surely, it was a symbol of wealth and as soon as the construction was finished, the upper class in Korean society such as celebrities and professors moved in.

In addition, the complex have been specialized with electronic production and repair.

There was a word  "there is nothing engineers in se-un shopping center cannot make, even a satellite."

from 60's to 70's was the complex's heyday like that.

As time goes, Seould have changed surprisingly, making the se-un complex outdated. 
Appearance of the buildings are worn, and structures are getting weakened.

in 2000's, Seoul government deliberated between to destruct or to maintain and  revive the area.

they finally decided to open international competition in 2015,

 
 
 

  
 Pictures above are the project of winner of international competition.

Buildings will be connected with high- level road(originally there is outdoor road deck at both sides of each buildings)




Nowadays, buildings are being changed gradually and will be open newly on July. With physical change i can see many cultural and technical challenge today's visit.

Se-bot, which merchants in se-un center made together.

art exhibition in se-un center.

Hope these renovation could change the city Seoul into pedestrian-friendly city.



Seoullo 7017, one of the urban regeneration project in Korea[seoul skygarden].

First content for my blog is 'Seoullo 7017'. This project is what I've been heard about hundreds of times in a day recently(that's because i am now working for the corporation which was started as an civic group for this project.) 

When i first heard about the project, i naively thought like this 'Oh, good, more park, more green, good '.

However, there are numerous concerns related to this simple, shabby high-level road such as local merchants, commuters as well as residents.

Many are opposed to this projects, one of the citizen even told that he would throw himself if project is proceeded.

Anyway the high-road is under construction, will open on May.

Seoul city opened international competition for this shabby high-road, the winner is MVRDV from Netherland.

When Winy Maas, chief designer for the project, visited Seoul and presented their works, I either was there. The main idea is to change this worn high road into botanical garden composed of all plants species in Korea.

https://www.mvrdv.com/projects/seoul-skygarden link about project.

pic of the site from regeneration center(23th, Feb)

My office is 5 minutes away from here on foot 

I am really looiking forward to opening.

Welcome every comments with any topic

I will keep posting what I see, what I feel 

Record what I experience

Filling my blog focusing with what i think, what i see.

Live in Seoul, South Korea. 

Want to make my own history, and to share something valuable with people all over the world.

Trying to use english(not perfect) to communicate with all you guys as much as possible.

Might be focused on 'Landscape Architecture, Urban regeneration which are i am working about' and 'Soccer which is the sport I love'

If you want to observe a living in the busiest city in this world, you are on the adequate blog.