Seoul for 2012!
In trying to keep the program alive for 2012, I have compiled a video showing just how awesome this program has been in only a MONTH. Enjoy, and tell yo friends!!
Field Trip Week Pt 2: Space Group
The next day after the Dongdaemun visit, we visited the Space Group building. Space Group is an architecture firm founded by one of the most famous korean architects, Kim Swoo Geun. Built in the 70's, the office building that he designed also happens to be one of the most important modern buildings in Seoul. The building isn't normally open to the public for tours, but we always love to pull the foreign student card!
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| One small happy family (+ our history professor) |
Field Trip Week: Zaha's Dongdaemun
This week has been absolutely crazy (Note: this can be seen from the furious updates I have been doing, which have been severely delayed due to studio pin-up this past week. So many exciting things happened and we saw so many things, I will try to condense in one post (eek!).Dongdaemun History and Culture Park: Designed by Zaha Hadid, this museum and park is located in the central location in Dongdaemun shopping district area. It is currently under construction, and we were taken on a tour with the project architect. I asked him about Zaha and her cape, but he said no comment... I think he has him bugged.
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| Prototype of metal panel cladding |
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| The surrounding context |
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| Structural steel for the future stairs |
Ewha Women's University
Ewha Women's University, the private female university of Seoul, is the location of Dominique Perrault's multipurpose Campus Center. Built within and under the ground plane, it is one of few examples of architecture in Seoul that does not seek to add to the overwhelming skyline of Seoul. It comes off as a simple idea, but I think that is why it works so well.It feels like a great place to hide away and study. Too bad our own campus doesn't have cool buildings... =(
Hongdae and Hello Kitty
Hondae, short for Hongik University, is where everyone goes to party. Tons of Westerners, an overwelming amount, head to Hongdae at night as if it was full of bacon or something.
We went over to Hongdae in search for kareoke, food, and a fun time.
Hongdae by night:
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| BBQ pig skin anyone? |
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| The crazy streets |
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| Door handle detail |
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| Yuval's guest appearance |
...Just when I thought I was over Hello Kitty, I came to Korea and it all changed. ahh! and now there's a Hello Kitty store slated to open near my apartment...
A Dose of Rem Koolhaas
We took the journey to Seoul National University (Korea's most prestigious university, kind of like the "Harvard" of Korea) to find the Rem gem. The Museum of Art is located right at the main entrance. We almost hiked to get there, but gave up and took a cab -- just in time before they closed.
The Gang goes Hiking
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| Evan likes to hug trees |
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| View from the top |
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| Koreans take hiking as a serious sport -- they are always dressed to the nines in hiking gear... |
Mi Do Tuna
Just around the corner from our apartment, we have discovered an all-you-can-eat tuna restaurant. Unlike most people, I do not get excited for sushi AT ALL (very un-asian of me, right?), but I will always try anything once. Verdict: delicious!
The key was to eat as much tuna as possible; as each plate was brought out, the cuts of tuna got better and better. Maybe there is hope yet for me and sushi...
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| Yes, there is a table under there |
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| First cuts of tuna |
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| Second cut of tuna |
Cheonggyecheon!
It's fun to say, and it's a great urban renewl project right in the center of Seoul. The Cheonggyecheon (gaecheon = "open stream") was a stream created during the Joseon Dynasty for city drainage. Later on after the Korean War, the stream became littered with a large influx of people moving into the city, thus polluting the area. In 1958, in an effort to clean the city up, the stream was filled in with concrete and transformed into an elevated highway. Luckily in 2003, there was a major effort to restore the stream to re-introduce nature back into Seoul.
There is criticism about this project, such as though it brings nature back into the city, it is not the most sustainable. In order to maintain this body of water, water has to be manually pumped in. In any case, it does bring people together, and the residents love gathering here.
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| My new BFF |
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