Min Tae Lee of Tongmyong University Department of Architecture Wins International Award at Modern Urban Architecture Competition... "Proposing Architecture of Memory and Reflection"

Min Tae Lee, a fourth-year student in the Department of Architecture at Tongmyong University, received the Excellence Award (Docomomo International Award) at the '2025 Modern Urban Architecture Design Competition'.

The title of his work is 'Red Memories: Proposal for a Historical Park on Animal Experimentation'.

This competition is held annually for architecture students and young architects both in Korea and abroad. Its purpose is to discover creative design ideas for the preservation and regeneration of modern architectural heritage. This year's theme focused on the preservation value and regional regeneration plan for the former main building of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency located in Anyang.

In his project, Min Tae Lee proposed a design that restores the materiality of early modernist architecture symbolized by red brick, and spatially reveals the long-concealed historical memories of animal experimentation.

The main design features included: ▲ historical restoration through the recreation of red brick architecture; ▲ reinterpretation of the unique enclosure and walls of experimental facilities to build a narrative of memory; ▲ creation of a 'Forest of Silence' and memorial spaces utilizing existing trees and spatial boundaries. The project was highly praised for focusing not only on physical preservation, but also on the succession of memories and the delivery of social messages.

In his acceptance speech, Min Tae Lee stated, "My concern was not simply about preserving the form of modern heritage, but about how to share the memories and ethical meanings contained within it," and added, "I will continue to explore architecture that communicates with society and tells stories."

A representative from the Department of Architecture at Tongmyong University commented, "This award is a result of effectively embodying historical memory and social sensitivity through architectural expression, and it serves as an opportunity to demonstrate the design capabilities and social empathy of Tongmyong University students to the public."

Work by Min Tae Lee, Department of Architecture.

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