Paju Book City, Korea in Graz
The Paju Book City (PBC) planned as a city for print-media, combines
modern architecture and human environment with economic and
infrastructural requirements.
The PBC complex was constructed recently along the northern part of the
Han River near Seoul on a site measuring 150ha commissioned by the
Cooperative of Paju Book City. Located a half-hour drive northwest of
Seoul, this site aims to function as a self-sufficient metropolis
capable of covering every step of the publishing process - from
publishing, distribution, printing, bookbinding and design to
paper making and copyright negotiations. The Paju Publishing Culture
Information Industrial Complex, commonly known as Paju Book City, opened
in 2003, is poised today to become the center of South Korea's
publishing culture in the 21st century.
The Korean architects Seung H-sang and Kim Young-joon as coordinators
directed the entire project. The Graduate School of Environment of Seoul
National University developed the basic masterplan. The urban landscape
concept was lead by Florian Beigel at North London University /
Architecture Research Unit (ARU). Planed and built projects had to
follow a design guideline set by a core team of Florian Beigel, Min
Hyun-sik, Seung H-sang, Kim Jong-kyu and Kim Young-joon.
Basing its decisions on the master plan, the design board in charge of
the project proposed several domestic and international architects for
each building lot. The individual owners, publishing houses or related
industries either accepted these proposals or chose their own
architects, whose designs were subject to approval of the design board.
While the owners of the individual buildings are responsible for their
designs, the overall aesthetics of the cityscape are being carefully
managed. Buildings, for example, are to be no more than four stories
high. Walls between lots are forbidden, as is ostentatious signage.
Paju Book City has turned out to be an outstanding and remarkable
example of synergy between conceptual program, human environment, modern
architecture, as combined with economic and infrastructural
requirements.
Worldwide, it would be difficult to find a comparable contemporary
industrial development.
Another nickname that has become attached to the Paju Book City is
"Eco-City." This name reflects the vision of the complex as a city
designed to exist in harmony with nature and even to evolve through time
- artificial though it may seem, in the sense of being planned and
built from scratch.
A stream flows through the center of the complex, attracting cranes and
other migratory birds. This is indeed an eco-friendly city.
The exhibition will cover aspects of urban form and new spatial
organization, while highlighting the unique character of Korean
architecture as applied to urbanism and the city. The show is designed
to offer a wide public insight into Korea’s urban culture by featuring
new architectural projects and their conceptually diverse backgrounds.
A large model will represent Paju Book City, by photographs of realized
buildings, drawings of planned projects, and smaller models.
The exhibition will also serve to introduce the Korean and international
architects who are participating in the project.
Participating architects are:
Florian Beigel, Suh Hailim + Kim Junsung, Chang Yung-ho, Kim Young-sub,
Kwon Moon-sung, Manuel Gausa, Choi Moon-gyu, Jang Yoon-gyoo, Woo
Kyung-kook, Yi Jong-ho, Kim Seung-hoy, Choi Du-nam, Min Hyun-sik, E
Il-hoon, Kim Jong-kyu, Joh Sung-yong, Sejima Kazuyo + Nishizawa Ryue,
Choi Wook, Seo Hyun + Cemong Architecs, Kim Kwang-hyun, Kim In-cheurl,
Cho Min-suk + Park Ki-su, Kim Won, Lee Min-ah + Daniel Valle, Stan
Allen, Kim Byung-hyun, Bang Chul-rin, Chung Guyon, Kim Hyo-man, Kishi
Waro, Alexandro Zaera-Polo + Farshid Moussavi, Xaveer de Geyter, Kim
Bong-ryol + Kang Seung-hee, Vicente Guallart, Kim Byung-yoon, Kim
Young-joon.
Project manager at Aedes: Ulla Giesler
An Aedes catalogue will be published {€10.-).
