Sense of place
Historical Museum of Dongdaemun stadium
"Sense of place" analyses the problem of the urban landmark project, “DDP: Dongdaemun Design Plaza” , and re-proposes this to realise “sense of place” through the historical context of site.
Image: Exposing geological history of the site through trench excavation
Location: Dongdaemun stadium, Seoul, Korea
Key words: Sense of place, Place memories, Historical context, Experience
Outcome: Historical urban park
Technique: Transect mapping, Trench excavation, Existing components of the site
Hidden history of DDP project
Seoul lost numerous cultural asserts last century because of Japanese colony, war, fast industrialisation, and economic growth. This circumstance still continues in contemporary urban area, due to the architectural work without any plans for preservation of heritage. Project DDP is an example that lost former characteristic of the site landscape by political authorities, and a lack of consideration about historical background in the design process.
Transect journey : history of Dongdaemun Stadium
Dongdaemun Stadium had been existed 90 years old in Seoul that constructed to show Japanese colonial force. The stadium began with a sad history, but it has survived in 90 years old Seoul’s history. It was Japanese imperialism sport centre (1925~1945), Korean modern sport mecca (1950~1980), the biggest amateur ball park (1990s) and vintage market (2003~2006). Dongdeamun stadium has accumulated various public and private place memories, and being a place that create a bond of sympathy or provide unforgettable memories for visitors. Moreover, in geologically, the site has over 400 years old historical background since Josen dynasty, which is the last Korean kingdom era.
Trench operation: extending accessibility from site context
The project consists of those criteria to maximalise site’s sense of place: Most stadium structure sets up as a part of history; propose the way of co-existing the site heritage with project proposition; Visualise 4 different historical eras via trench excavation, archaeological investigation technique; invite vintage market as part of history; improve connectivity with surrounding urban context, fashion market precincts. These project positions will give a guarantee that unique landscape in urban context. The site will provide various place memories, the bond of sympathy and alternative experience to visitors.
12 different trenches with 12 different themes
Site as historical puzzle
Each intersection of trench passes the decision visitor to complete their historical journey. It is a process of put the historic puzzle together. Different sequence of the journey will be different completion of experience, like no right answer of puzzle.
Historical transaction
Different depth of trench provides different eye view of soil layers, geological history of site. Visitors will experience different historical eras when they are going up and down.
Space program: in the trench
Exhibition trench
Each trench contains different space program to exhibit site history and heritage. There are 4 main exhibition halls to exhibit existing site heritage as the archaeological investigation place. Some of trench will rent the place to hold an individual exhibition.
Competition entry: Dongdaemun World Design Park & Complex