Date 08.02.2021

Location Seoul, South Korea

“The Refuge of Disquiet”, a collaboration project of students from the MArch studio “Condition / Hong Kong Villages”, has been selected as one of the eight design studios out of more than twenty architecture schools from around the world in the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2021.

Supervised by Prof. Peter Ferretto, the students design a refuge which embodies the meanings of “escape” and “protection”, a site that reflects a way of thinking about how rural villages can remain relevant today via translation and reinterpretation of heritage. Adopting clay tiles to create a seemingly impenetrable patterned wall, this contemporary temple is stripped of its symbolism but retains its mysticism, turning itself into an urban artefact where people can experience a dual moment of unease and tranquillity. The project attempts to connect visitors to traditional building typologies, reveal new ways of designing with traditional craftsmanship, and raise awareness of the value of tangible and intangible culture.

The Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism was established in 2017, focusing on cities to address and discuss challenges linked to the urban condition of modern metropolises. This year’s Biennale is titled “Crossroads: Building a Resilient City”, and the Refuge proposal has been conceived under its “Heritage and Modern” section.