Culture belongs to citizens: Snohetta on building opera houses for everyone

For centuries, opera houses have stood as monuments to high culture — grand stages where art, wealth and prestige converge. But for architect Kjetil Traedal Thorsen, the opera houses of the 21st century should be as much a part of everyday civic life as they are destinations for the arts. Thorsen is the co-founder of Snohetta, the Norwegian contemporary architecture firm behind an opera house that opened in Shanghai last week and another scheduled to open in Busan in 2028. It also designed the N

Digging deep to innovate

It was a proverbial scene of calm before the storm: Two students were playing basketball in the corner of a large dirt playing field while a group of students sat on the steps of the steep stands, taking shelter from the blazing heat of the September afternoon in the shadow of a thick canopy of trees. All of that will change this month when the New Hongik Project, a 441 billion won ($324.5 million) expansion of Hongik University's Seoul campus, breaks ground on Oct. 14. The project, which measur

Rethinking public space and why architecture must open door to young talent

Why, in a country celebrated for the global reach of its music, cinema and technology, does architecture seem to lag behind? “Look at the qualitative level of Korea’s dance, music, film, graphic arts, science and technology, it is remarkable,” French architect Dominique Perrault said. “Why is architecture not at that same level?” “Perhaps it is because there is not enough affection for the nation and its heritage.” The question came during the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk, where the world

2026 Korea Herald Architecure Talk reimagines public space with Dominique Perrault

The 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk in Seoul explored changing perceptions of public architecture and public space, as well as where they should be heading in both Korea and France. The fourth edition of the Korea Herald Architecture Talk concluded Tuesday at the Ewha Campus Complex, drawing more than 400 attendees. French architect and keynote speaker Dominique Perrault had designed the iconic venue. Marking the 140th anniversary of South Korea-France diplomatic ties, the annual architectur

French Ambassador stresses architectural diplomacy

French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux hailed the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk on Tuesday as a crucial platform for dialogue, emphasizing its special significance as it coincides with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, as well as the founding of Ewha Womans University. The ambassador noted that the event, held under the theme “Architecture Beyond Borders -- Dialogue with Dominique Perrault,” further elevated the bilateral partnership, recently strengthened

Perrault lecture prompts reflection on process, public space

Hundreds turned out for the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk headlined by renowned French architect Dominique Perrault. For many in attendance, the event prompted a reconsideration of how architecture is conceived and practiced. Held to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and France, the fourth edition of the annual forum was organized under the theme “Architecture Beyond Borders — Dialogue with Dominique Perrault.” The program spotlighted cross-cultural exchange

ECC is symbol of architectural dialogue across time: Ewha president

Ewha Womans University President Lee Hyang-sook on Tuesday emphasized the role of architecture in bridging past and future, as she welcomed participants to the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk held at the university’s Ewha Campus Complex. Marking both Ewha’s 140th anniversary and the 140 years of diplomatic ties between Korea and France, Lee described the forum as “timely and meaningful,” bringing together global architectural perspectives including keynote speaker French architect and urbani

Herald CEO highlights architecture’s role in connecting cities, people

Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young on Tuesday emphasized architecture’s power to connect people and shape shared futures, as he opened the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk at Ewha Womans University’s Ewha Campus Complex in Seoul. Introducing keynote speaker Dominique Perrault, a French architect and urbanist, Choi added that Perrault "connects the world" through architecture. "Perrault’s architecture is more than just a physical building," said Choi. "Like Ewha’s ECC, it is a form of art a

Deputy culture minister says forum marks Korea-France cultural ties

In her congratulatory speech at the Korea Herald Architecture Talk on Tuesday, Deputy Culture Minister Jung Hyang-mi emphasized that the gathering, marked a luminous chapter in the history of bilateral exchanges between South Korea and France. The deputy minister for culture and arts policy praised the forum’s venue, Ewha Campus Complex at Ewha Womans University, a building designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, for its innovative concept: Sinking into the ground to embrace light, natu

Public architecture should be both functional and ambitious: Dominique Perrault

Architect and urban planner Dominique Perrault is widely known for redefining public space with the concept of "groundscape." Perrault came to international recognition in 1989 at the age of 36 after winning the competition for the National Library of France in Paris, a landmark project that exemplifies his approach to spatial concepts. Rather than asserting a monumental presence, the building’s iconic design emphasizes voids, horizontality and the integration of the landscape, allowing architec

Dominique Perrault to headline 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk

The 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk will bring together Korean and French perspectives on public architecture, with renowned French architect and urbanist Dominique Perrault as the keynote speaker. The forum will be held at 3 p.m. on April 7 at the Ewha Campus Complex at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. Marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and France, the fourth edition of the annual architecture forum will take place under the theme “Architecture Beyond Borde

'Hanok Avengers' on future of Korean architecture

The Korea Herald’s "Architecture Talk: Evolving Hanok" brought together a group of so-called “Hanok Avengers” on Wednesday at the Eundeok Cultural Center — a beautifully restored, century-old building in central Seoul that exemplifies the elegance of traditional Korean architecture. Building on a six-part series titled "Evolving Hanok" published in May by The Korea Herald, the third edition of the annual "Architecture Talk" was jointly hosted with the state-run Architecture & Urban Research Inst

Leading architects challenge hanok orthodoxy

"Let's face it, hanok may never become fully mainstream. But it remains an essential part of our architectural culture," said Daniel Tandler, co-founder of Urbandetail Architecture, whose contemporary interpretations of Korea's traditional housing have earned international recognition. The Eundeok Cultural Center in central Seoul was packed Wednesday, with attendees spilling onto the floor of the century-old hanok building. They had come to hear six leading voices debate the future of hanok -- K

Defining ‘hanok’ right opens up possibilities

Koreans have long taken pride in the traditional Korean house, “hanok,” for its embrace of a lifestyle seeking harmony with nature. However, what truly makes hanok the kind of house that embodies such ideals is still debated — a discussion now in need of a conclusion, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s director of hanok preservation. “Hanok has survived generations, meaning its adaptations today are varied, catering to the needs of many contemporary architects and homeowners,” said

Pursuing living tradition: Architect Daniel Tandler on reimagining hanok tradition

For Korean German architect Daniel Tandler, understanding the essence of "hanok" is conducive not only to good design, but also to grasping the broader values embedded in Korean life. Over the past decade, Tandler has immersed himself in studying, designing and living with hanok — traditional Korean houses known for their harmony with nature, wooden joinery, "ondol" underfloor heating and open spatial flow. Through his Seoul-based practice, the Urbandetail Architecture co-founder and principal a