Korea DMZ Peace-Life Valley
The unusually named Korea DMZ Peace and Life Valley belongs to a corporation whose slogan is “open the door of peace with the key of life.” Noting how the demilitarized zone (DMZ), a remnant of the war, paradoxically became a scene of life restoration, this organization was founded to campaign for contemplating this era as well as protecting the sanctity of life. The extensive support from Gangwondo and aspiring scholars who formed the key members ensured that this organization was established.
This facility serves as the base camp for DMZ surveys, but it also organizes lectures, seminars, and meditations and includes an agricultural movement to promote life restoration. Thus, the facility itself must maintain a close relationship with nature. From the onset, the project was not allowed to be hostile toward or controlling of nature.
The site is located on a mountain in the town of Inje, which is close to the DMZ. This mountain has a plateau in the middle that faces the west. This area connects the natural mountain range to the carriageway, thereby forming a vital element. Architecture serves as the medium linking all the elements; consequently, it had to be both an artificial nature and a natural artificiality. If viewed from the mountain, it appears as though the land has been cleaved; if viewed from the road, the scenery of the mountain comes in through the gap. Thus, the architecture here should not exist. In other words, the project becomes architecture of the land and of the landscape.
Program : cultural facilities, educational facilities, accommodation facilities
Site area : 124,210 sqm
Building area : 3,275.73 sqm
Gross floor area: 3,304.35
Structure : Reinforced Concrete
Exterior material : corten steel, soil, pair glass, wood
Design period : 2005.5 - 2006.3
