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DATE: 1992/1995

Design/Completion

 

STATUS: Built

 

CLIENT: Catholic University

 

BUILDING SIZE: 5.794 m²

 

 

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND LECTURE HALL

Haehwa-dong, Seoul

 

DESCRPITION

 

The new library and main lecture hall in Sungshin campus is now called the Catholic University Library. In 1992, Archibishop Choi Chanmoo (who was the chancellor), professors, and alumni of the university asked us to designthe buidlings. 

 

They gave us several concepts and guidelines to consider. Firstly in remembrance of the old Theological School, they asked for a neo-Gothic buildingwith a gabled roof and red bricks. This type of building was built in the 1920s and completely dissapeared in the 1970s. As they showed the old photos of the Theological School, we had to link it inmediately to the images when the building was demolished. It was an old building with nice wooden floors, three layers of roof tyles, and a graceful style. There was the question of why they would destroy such a beautiful piece of old architecture.

 

The second request was to preserve, if possible, all the Zelcova trees; when we built the gate guard post, one tree penetrated the guest area roof; the tree grows new leaves every spring.

 

The third request was that the old Theology School's view (which is now its bishop and priest quater) remain uninterrupted, and that the student circulation be cut off from it.

 

Other than that they wanted an economical building that would require low maintainance.

 

 

 

 

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