Hapcheon Residents' Remodeled Rest Area to Receive Space Culture Award

Between Azaleas and Silver Grass: Presidential Award... Grand Prize Goes to Busan's 'Aloysio Giji 1968'

Between Azaleas and Silver Grass

The building 'Between Azaleas and Silver Grass' located in Gahoemyeon, Hapcheon, Gyeongnam, will receive the Korea Spatial Culture Award (Presidential Award). On the 22nd, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it had selected six award-winning buildings after receiving thirty-five building nominations from local governments, public institutions, and the private sector nationwide, and conducting document and on-site evaluations. The award is co-hosted with the Korea Institute of Architects. It has been awarded since 2006 to highlight dignified living spaces and improve the quality of cultural life.

Designed by Dirim Architects, 'Between Azaleas and Silver Grass' was originally a tourist rest area in Hapcheon Hwangmaesan County Park. Hapcheon County and local residents collaborated to create a rest area and park that harmonizes with the surrounding natural scenery. Between the semi-circular buildings, azaleas (in spring) and silver grass (in autumn) are planted. Pebbles are laid around to provide auditory pleasure as well. The thinly folded steel plate exterior material reveals the material's properties as they change over time. The judging committee commented, "The sensory and physical qualities of the materials provide comfort to visitors. The color of the building materials also blends well with the surrounding mountain scenery," and added, "Above all, it is excellent that the local government and residents cooperated to create and operate the space."

Aloysio Giji 1968

The Grand Prize (Prime Minister's Award) goes to 'Aloysio Base 1968,' designed by Opus. It is a community space located in Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan. The closed school, which was operated by a convent for 50 years, was newly renovated. Parts were repaired and connected, leaving space for the future. It offers various learning and experience programs for local residents and students. The judging committee praised, "The operation together with the surrounding neighbors and the designer's effort to spatialize this stand out."

The Excellence Awards go to Area Six in Yeongdo-gu, Busan; St. Joseph Street in Jungnim-dong, Seoul; Bulamsan Observatory Pavilion Imagination Circle in Nowon-gu, Seoul; and Imrang Cultural Park in Gijang-gun, Busan. The awards ceremony will be held on the 11th of next month at the Korea Architecture Culture Festival. Related photos, videos, and other image materials can be viewed at Culture Station Seoul 284 during the festival.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.