Thoughts about good architecture-1

  How should good architecture be? Good design in general, points out literally when it reasonably combines its function and form. Unlikely, how to become a fine building could vary, depending on what we weigh the importance of. It could be a building with landmarks, state-of-the-art, space zoning, efficiency, or public good. Subsequently, no wonder architecture in Seoul is pretty ignorant of its aesthetic sense, which is far from the most critical values of what this society pursues.

For the discussion on critical factors for a well-designed building, I should start with understanding each person involved in architecture: occupants; owners; administrators, architects, and citizens. Does a building of excellence satisfy all? Contingent upon who judges one, the definition of good design that makes us happy would not be uniform. For example, the desire of owners who aim to make a profit with their properties might not be the same as the desire of occupants who spend time there.

What is good architecture in a city?

  What would the criteria of fine architecture be as an architect? I attempt to narrow down the meaning of good design and decide whether architects should skip money-oriented parts that prevail in the entire city of Seoul. Can architecture design get survived without our market economy system? Buildings are deeply tangled with each city’s population distribution and its demand, site location, economic conditions, owners’ business model, and so on. The envelope of fine buildings is usually composed of scarce, high-priced materials. At this point, architects cannot help but admit that money will realize their vanity.

  In my experience, my thoughts on good architecture works have changed since my undergraduate. In chronological order, my idea has changed from counting on its originality to being somewhat more realistic.

  As an architecture student, I gradually formed an opinion about a better proposal of architecture, which should be the first movers’. But it was difficult for me to be the one, due to various modern architects, already famous in our history. Each has versatile with one’s identity. Some realized dramatic forms of mass that created a wonder plus inevitable dead space. Some architects tried sensational materials others seldom applied before; that was how glass and concrete guided us to modern architecture. And some architects proposed new types of architectural plans and sections, which are categorically convincing. Well, the third ones are not exactly the first movers because inventing new space zoning has been a duty of good architects for a while, as their job is customizing a building as per a client’s demand. Still, these architects’ works and their styles have originality. I also desired to suggest an original proposal for the architectural competition, whose plot would be so well-constructed that people could understand easily and be assured even at a single glance.

  As soon as I joined a firm and started my career, architecture design that represents the company was somewhat different from my school. Most of all, junior architects had no authority nor responsibility for design proposals in a team project, and so did I. Like an apprentice of the old school, I collected references and helped other experienced architects as a sidekick while learning the architectural process such as space planning, building code, and construction documentation. I became used to my position as a supporter. That is, I went work like an office man, reported my tasks to senior office men, and received feedback from them to update my assignments whose direction is for the company’s sake. I was conscious of this self-repression that I loath and confused about a professional career in a large firm.

If so, did I participate in the good design I looked for in these architecture firms? It seldom satisfied me because firms aim for a high profit before good design, which causes cost-effective procedure, quick decision-making, or unconditional followers of clients’ ideas, hoping for their continuous partnership forever. Rarely, I had fun moments working with a few ambitious designers who could bear reproaches from those who value design that doesn’t escape from the norm.

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