seoul Biennale Tackles ”Soulless” Architecture, seeks Public Demand for Human-Centered Design
SEOUL – The 5th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, currently underway across the city, is directly confronting widespread dissatisfaction with contemporary urban design in South Korea, aiming to spark public discourse and demand for more human-centered architecture. The biennale, featuring exhibitions at the Songhyun Green Plaza in Jongno District and the Seoul Hall of Urbanism and Architecture, comes as a recent survey reveals a staggering 97 percent of Koreans describe their residential buildings as “soulless, boring and depressing.”
The biennaleS exhibits, including “From a Bird’s Eye to the Human Eye” which traces Seoul’s architectural evolution and previews upcoming projects, are intended to catalyze a shift in viewpoint. Renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick, speaking at the event, highlighted a pervasive sense of powerlessness surrounding architecture, even among architects themselves, attributing it to a culture that “tolerates mediocrity.” He argues that creativity is often stifled, with functionality prioritized over genuine societal needs.
Heatherwick pinpointed demolition as a key symptom of this failure, calling it “the dirty secret” of the industry.He contends that buildings designed solely for efficiency lack longevity and contribute to environmental damage, ultimately serving as “physical proof of our cultural failure: our tolerance for lifeless, disposable spaces.”
The biennale’s organizers believe change will stem from increased public awareness and engagement. Heatherwick emphasized that developers currently operate under the assumption that society isn’t the client,resulting in the construction of “low-value buildings.” He asserts that if the public begins to actively question architectural choices, politicians, planners, and developers will be compelled to respond, prioritizing designs that address human functionality and foster a more vibrant urban habitat.
