Kim Swoo Geun (; February 20, 1931 – June 14, 1986) was a prominent

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

, educator, publisher and patron of artists. Along with architect Kim Chung-up (김중업), he is recognised as a significant contributor in the history of Korean architecture. With his support for diverse art genres of

Korean culture The traditional culture of Korea is the shared cultural and historical heritage of Korea before the division of Korea in 1945. Since the mid-20th century, Korea has been split between the North Korean and South Korean sovereign state, stat ...

, he was referred to as

Lorenzo de Medici Lorenzo di Piero de' Medici (), known as Lorenzo the Magnificent (; 1 January 1449 – 9 April 1492), was an Italian statesman, the '' de facto'' ruler of the Florentine Republic, and the most powerful patron of Renaissance culture in Italy. Lo ...

Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...

by ''

TIME Time is the continuous progression of existence that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequ ...

'' in 1977.

Biography

Kim Swoo Geun was born the first son of Kim Yong-hwan (김용환) and Kim Usudal (김우수달) in Sinap-dong (신압동),

Chongjin Chŏngjin (; ) is the capital of North Korea's North Hamgyong Province (함경북도) and the country's List of cities in North Korea, third-largest city. Sometimes called the City of Iron, it is located in the northeast of the country. History ...

North Hamgyong North Hamgyong Province (Hamgyŏngbukdo, ) is the northernmost province of North Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Hamgyong Province. Geography The province is bordered by China (Jilin) to the north, S ...

province. While in his second year at Kyunggi Public Middle School (경기공립중학교), Kim was introduced to architecture by a US soldier who tutored him in English. After his graduation from the school in 1950 and Kim entered

Seoul National University Seoul National University (SNU; ) is a public university, public research university in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the SKY (universities), SKY universities and a part of the Flagship Korean National Universities. The university's main c ...

, majoring in architecture. In 1952, during the

Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

, he withdrew from the school and went abroad to

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

where he studied modern architecture at

Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music or is a school of art and music in Japan. Located in Ueno Park, it also has facilities in Toride, Ibaraki, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Kitasenju and Adachi, Tokyo. The university has trained artists in the fields of painting, sculpture, crafts, inter ...

. During his study at this school, he interned at Hirada Matsuda (松田平田)'s architectural firm. In 1960 he received a

master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional prac ...

in architecture from

Tokyo University The University of Tokyo (, abbreviated as in Japanese and UTokyo in English) is a public research university in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1877 as the nation's first modern university by the merger of several pre-westernisation era ins ...

where he finished his doctoral course as well. In 1959, he won the competition for the National Assembly Building of South Korea, but his proposal was not realized due to the political situation at that time. In 1960, he returned to his country with his Japanese wife Michiko Yajima (矢島道子). He would eventually father three children with her. In 1961 he founded his architectural firm, "Kim Swoo Geun Planning and Design" (김수근 건축사무소), the predecessor of the current SPACE group. At the same time, he also began to teach at the architecture department of

Hongik University Hongik University (; colloquially as Hongdae) is a private university in Mapo District, Mapo, Seoul, South Korea. It was founded in 1946. The university also maintains a branch campus in Sejong City. The university's colloquial name, "Hongdae ...

. Kim designed over 200 projects inside and outside of South Korea during his lifetime. His representative works include "SPACE Group building" (공간 사옥, 1978), "Masan Yangdeok Catholic Church" (마산양덕성당 1979), "

Jinju National Museum Jinju National Museum () is a national museum located in Jinju Fortress, Jinju, South Korea. It opened in February 1984 with the purpose of specializing in the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598), or Imjinwaeran. See also * List of muse ...

" (진주국립박물관 1986) and " Olympic Main Stadium" (올림픽 경기장 1987), which feature his characteristic view of architecture as well as Korean traditional elements. Kim commenced publishing the monthly ''SPACE'' (월간 공간) in 1966, the first general art journal of South Korea which contributes to recording and distributing

. Kim also established SPACE Love (공간사랑) in 1978, a small theater inside of the Space group building and built the SPACE Gallery in 1972, all of which has played an important role for numerous South Korean cultural campaigns. With his contributions crossing over into many diverse genres, Kim is regarded a seminal cultural activist, trying to integrate architecture and other genres of artistic expression. After Kim Swoo Geun died in 1986, a victim of liver cancer at the age of 55, the Kim Swoo Geun Foundation (김수근문화재단) was established in his memory.

Recognition

According to Park Gil-ryong, a professor of

Kukmin University Kookmin University () is a private research university established in 1946 in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It has historic significance, as it was founded during by the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea and is the first private un ...

, Kim was the first in South Korea to proclaim that architecture has to have its own concept and philosophy. The architect Min Hyun Sik said Kim Swoo Geun lived with the consciousness of how to effectively convey and adapt Korean tradition into contemporary architecture. It was his grand obsession. His achievement as an educator was in mentoring Kim Won, Ryu Chun-su, Min Hyun Sik, Lee Jong-ho, Seung Hyo-sang into being prominent architects, regarded as significant as well.

Selective works

* 1963 Freedom Center (자유센터) in

Jangchung-dong Jangchung-dong () is a '' dong'' (neighborhood) of Jung District, Seoul, South Korea. Etymology The name Jangchung-dong originated from the Jangchungdan that was located in this area. Established in 1900, Jangchungdan was a place where ceremonie ...

Jung-gu Jung District (), meaning "Central District", is the name of a ''gu'' (district) in several South Korean cities: *Jung District, Busan *Jung District, Daegu * Jung District, Daejeon * Jung District, Incheon *Jung District, Seoul * Jung District, Ul ...

* 1967

Buyeo National Museum Buyeo National Museum () is a national museum located in Buyeo County, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Since Buyeo was once the capital of the Baekje kingdom during the Sabi period (538-660), the Museum is fully devoted to the Baekje cu ...

Buyeo Buyeo (; ; ), also rendered as Puyŏ or Fuyu, was an ancient kingdom that was centered in northern Manchuria in modern-day northeast China. It had ties to the Yemaek people, who are considered to be the ancestors of modern Koreans. Buyeo is ...

South Chungcheong Province South Chungcheong Province (), informally called Chungnam, is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, province of South Korea in the Hoseo region in the southwest of the Korean Peninsula. South Chungcheong borders the provinces of Gyeonggi to ...

* 1969 Tower Hotel (타워호텔) in

* 1970 Korea Exhibition Pavilion at

Expo '70 The or Expo '70 was a world's fair held in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, between 15 March and 13 September 1970. Its theme was "Progress and Harmony for Mankind." In Japanese, Expo '70 is often referred to as . It was the first world's fair ...

(오사카 엑스포 한국관) in

Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...

* 1971 SPACE Group Building (공간 사옥) in

Wonseo-dong Wonseo-dong () is a '' dong'' (neighbourhood) of Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea. It is a legal dong (법정동 ) administered under its administrative dong (행정동 ), Gahoe-dong. Tourism Wonseo-dong is located between Changdeokgung Pala ...

Jongno-gu upright=1, Bosingak bell pavilion Jongno District () is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. It is the historic center of Seoul that contains Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, and the Blue House, the for ...

* 1977

Seoul Olympic Stadium The Seoul Olympic Stadium (), a.k.a. Jamsil Olympic Stadium (formerly romanised as ''Chamshil''), is a multi-purpose stadium in Seoul, South Korea. It is the main stadium built for the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1986 Asian Games, 10th Asian Ga ...

, in Jamsil,

Songpa-gu Songpa District () is one of the List of districts of Seoul, 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. Previously known as Wiryeseong, the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Baekje, Songpa is located in the southeastern part of Seoul. With roughl ...

* 1979 Cheongju National Museum, in

Cheongju Cheongju (; ) is the capital and largest list of cities in South Korea, city of North Chungcheong Province in South Korea. The 'Cheong' in the name of Chungcheong Province is the Cheong of Cheongju. History Cheongju has been an important prov ...

North Chungcheong Province North Chungcheong Province (), also known as Chungbuk, is a province of South Korea. North Chungcheong has a population of 1,578,934 (2014) and has a geographic area of located in the Hoseo region on the south-centre of the Korean Peninsula. No ...

* 1979 Munye Center and Fine Arts Center (종합문예회관, currently Arko Arts Museum) in

Marronnier Park Marronnier Park () is a park in the Daehangno district of Seoul. The park was designated on April 29, 1982 and is large. Overview At the center of the park is a horse chestnut (marronnier) tree, of the genus Aesculus, for which the park takes ...

* 1979 Yangdeok Catholic Church (마산양덕성당) in

Masan Masan () is an administrative region of Changwon, a city of South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It was formerly an independent city from 1949 until 30 June 2010, when it was absorbed to Changwon along with Jinhae District, Jinhae. Masan was ...

South Gyeongsang Province South Gyeongsang Province (, ) is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is at Changwon. It is adjacent to the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple tha ...

* 1980 Kyungdong Presbyterian Church (경동교회) in

* 1983 Embassy building of the United States in Seoul on

Sejongno Sejongno (), officially Sejong-daero () is a street that runs through Jongno District, downtown Seoul, South Korea. It is named after King Sejong the Great of Joseon. The street is 600 meters in length, but due to its central location it is o ...

* 1984

National Science Museum, South Korea The National Science Museum is a national science museum in Daejeon, South Korea. History It opened in Seoul in 1926 and became a national museum in 1949. It relocated in 1990 near Expo Park. It welcomed 1,795,076 visitors in 2017. The Nat ...

Yuseong-gu Yuseong District () is a gu ("district") of Daejeon, South Korea, known for high tech industries, Daejeon Expo '93, Daedeok Science Town and the Yuseong Special Tourism District. Daejeon Islamic Center is also located in Kung-dong, Yuseong Dist ...

Daejeon Daejeon (; ) is South Korea's list of cities in South Korea, fifth-largest metropolis, with a population of nearly 1.5 million. Located in a central lowland valley between the Sobaek Mountains and the Geum River, the city is known both as a ...

* 1985 Bulgwang-dong Catholic Church (불광동성당) in

Bulgwang-dong Bulgwang-dong () is a neighborhood ('' dong'') of Eunpyeong District, Seoul, South Korea. Etymology Bulgwang-dong is a neighborhood nestled at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain, also known as Samgaksan Mountain. This picturesque area is renowned ...

Eunpyeong-gu Eunpyeong District () is one of the 25 List of districts of Seoul, districts of Seoul, South Korea. Eunpyeong is divided into 16 ''Dong (administrative division), dong'' (administrative neighborhoods). Eunpyeong is located in northwestern Seoul, ...

Gallery

File:Space Group Building.jpg, Space Group Building File:Seoul Olympic Stadium.jpg, Seoul Olympic Stadium File:Kyungdong Presbyterian Church.jpg, Kyungdong Presbyterian Church File:양덕성당 전면.jpg, Yangduk Cathedral of the Masan Diocese File:USA Embassy Building in Seoul.jpg, USA Embassy Building in Seoul File:Buyeo National Museum 03 (28142475120).jpg,

Honors

* 1970 Civil Merit Medal, South Korea (국민포장 國民褒章) * 1971 Pan Pacific Citation from the

American Institute of Architects The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach progr ...

(AIA) * 1979 Commendatore dell’ Ordine della Stella della Solidariet’ Italiana * 1982 Honorary Fellow from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) * 1984 Iron Tower, Order of Industrial Service Merit, South Korea (철탑산업훈장 鐵塔産業勳章) * 1986 Silver Tower, Order of Industrial Service Merit, South Korea (은탑산업훈장 銀塔産業勳章)

References

* * *

External links

SPACE MagazineSpace Group
(formerly Kim Su-keun's architectural firm)
Kim Swoo-geun Foundation
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kim, Swoo Geun 1931 births 1986 deaths South Korean architects Seoul National University alumni Academic staff of Hongik University Academic staff of Konkuk University Academic staff of Kookmin University University of Tokyo alumni Tokyo University of the Arts alumni People from Chongjin Deaths from liver cancer in South Korea Recipients of the Order of Industrial Service Merit 20th-century South Korean architects 20th-century South Korean male artists South Korean people of North Korean origin