Mokpo National University architecture students received top honors at the student exhibition organized by the Korean Institute of Architects.
The university announced that fifth-year students Lee Eun-seo and Kang Hyun-sun won the grand prize and excellence award, respectively, at the 'Korean Institute of Architects 2026 Student Exhibition.'
The exhibition evaluates outstanding works from undergraduate and graduate students in architecture, based on recommendations from their universities.
Lee Eun-seo's project, 'Moving Boundaries, Connecting Grounds,' reimagines the Taereung Sports Village as an open sports and cultural space for the public.
The design connects the landscape between Taereung and Gangneung, integrating the building with the surrounding terrain. It features tracks that link the interior and exterior, spaces between double facades, and movable architectural elements, proposing a coexistence of historical landscapes and physical activities in a unified space.
Kang Hyun-sun received the excellence award for 'AC Era — Adaptive Commons.'
This project connects the separate functions of Sewoon Sangga across different floors and suggests a shared approach where spaces can move or combine based on usage needs.
The design creates public spaces that connect to ground-level walkways and allows exhibition, educational, and relaxation areas to expand according to the scale of events and purposes. It also focuses on fostering interaction between existing commercial and production activities and new users.
Both projects share a common goal of architecturally reinterpreting existing locations to reconnect separated spaces and users, rather than eliminating or replacing their historical and unique characteristics.
Lee Eun-seo linked the historical landscape of Taereung Sports Village with citizens' physical activities, while Kang Hyun-sun integrated new public programs into Sewoon Sangga's existing commercial and production functions, suggesting possibilities for shared space usage.
Notably, the designs emphasize responding to changing usage demands while utilizing the characteristics and functions of existing urban spaces, rather than replacing them with new structures.
Meanwhile, the award ceremony and exhibition of winning works will take place from October 22 to 23 at the Daejeon Convention Center during the Korean Institute of Architects' fall academic conference. An online exhibition will also be held through the student exhibition website.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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