| Title |
Architectural Context and Significance of Swoo-Geun Kim’s New Ward at the Former Soo-Do Medical College Hospital, 1963-1965 |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2025.41.3.171 |
| Keywords |
Swoo-Geun Kim; Soo-Do Medical College Hospital; Exposed Concrete; Form; Space; Architectural Context; Hyun-Sik Min; Modern Architecture in Korea |
| Abstract |
Swoo-Geun Kim (1931-1986), a pioneer of modern architecture in Korea, introduced the form of exposed concrete as a prominent design
vocabulary after his debut as an architect in 1960. This idea is evident in the Freedom Center (1962-1964), one of the most notable works
from Swoo-Geun Kim’s early career. A similar approach is reflected in the new ward of the former Soo-Do Medical College Hospital
(1963-1965). However, this building has received relatively little attention. When it is discussed, the focus tends to center on the exposed
concrete, a hallmark of the architect’s early design style. Architect Hyun-Sik Min, in a 1993 writing, highlighted the importance of ‘space’
over ‘form’ in this building, describing it as a significant example of Korean architecture from the 1960s. This observation calls for a deeper
examination and reinterpretation of the structure, particularly since the new ward was not a standalone building but an addition to the
existing medical school and affiliated hospital complex. Its context and spatial relationships within the larger complex are crucial to
understanding its significance. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the new ward’s integration with its existing
surroundings, as well as its form and spatiality. By doing so, it seeks to expand the understanding of Swoo-Geun Kim’s early works and
shed light on the evolution of modern architecture in Korea during this period. |