Chris van Duijn is an architect leading the Asia office of OMA. Courtesy of OMA

Architecture acts as a potent force in shaping the character of our cities, believes Chris van Duijn, a partner at the global architectural firm Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA).

He visited Korea in late March to attend the Seoul Arts and Culture Forum, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Seoul Foundation of Arts and Culture, and explored the intricate relationship between cultural dynamics and architecture, examining how they merge to shape the urban landscape, reflecting on his role in shaping these environments through pragmatic architectural solutions.

Van Duijn has a vision of architecture that captures attention and sparks curiosity, aiming to intrigue and engage the public.

"I think good architecture is like when people look at buildings twice, and say, 'That's interesting' without even knowing why," he said during an interview with The Korea Times on March 21.

This belief highlights his approach to design, where the success of architecture is measured not by its grandeur or novelty, but by its impact on individuals and their connection to the space.

"That's what makes people turn. It can be very subtle. It can be very large," he said.

Galleria Department Store in Gwanggyo showcases OMA's approach in revolutionizing retail design. Courtesy of OMA

Contrast between East, West

Joining OMA in 1996 and becoming a partner in 2014, the Dutch architect now spearheads the firm's Asia office from Hong Kong. In this role, he adeptly navigates the diverse architectural terrains of both Asia and Europe, blending contrasting styles and influences.

"In Europe, a lot of projects are about minimizing risk, while in Asia, things are more interesting as turnover is very high and the clients see new projects as an opportunity, not as a risk... So in a way, in Europe, the glass is half empty, while in Asia, the glass is half full. This is just a different way of approaching things that I found interesting. Also, Asia is still a continent where there is growth in so many things and therefore challenges are also very broad. So professionally, it is what excites me about the region," he observed.

Having visited Seoul frequently since the early 2000s, van Duijn contemplated the city's evolution into a vibrant and inclusive metropolis.

"It has become way more international and open. Since the first time I was in Korea, which was 2005 when (it was) more Korean (and) less people spoke English, now there's a very strong, dynamic energy. There is a lot of new cultural foundations, exhibitions, initiatives. So if I need to consider a location for an office in Asia now, I would probably pick Seoul as preferred location for our office. Not that we're moving from Hong Kong, but I think it has everything," van Dujin said.

The architect lauded Seoul's ability to integrate its natural topography with urban growth, creating a unique city structure.

"You have this kind of green hills that organize the structure of the city, but you also see these small streets and small houses, usually on the slopes. And where it's more or less flats, that's where you have the main roads and where gradually all the towers are replacing the smaller grain," he said.

Van Dujin is captivated by Seoul's seamless transition from expansive urban landscapes to cozy neighborhood settings in a matter of mere meters.

"Literally in 100 meters, or 200 meters, you are in this large-scale city feeling main roads and then you take a small street to the sides and you're suddenly in this small-scale neighborhood," he said.

However, he also acknowledges the rapid pace at which Seoul is transforming, where large-scale projects often replace the smaller, original neighborhoods. Amid the rapid development, Mayor Oh Se-hoon's initiatives have caught van Duijn's attention for their focus on maintaining the city's distinctive character, balancing modernization with preservation by encouraging developers to create spaces that are "better connected to the city and more engaging with the surroundings."

"I think that's a very interesting aspect that I've seen in Seoul and not in many other places in the world," he said.

Galleria Department Store in Gwanggyo has a public pathway connecting the sidewalk to the building's rooftop garden. Courtesy of OMA

Innovative retail design

Van Duijn discussed the process of harmonizing client demands with creativity and contextual considerations in architectural design, which ultimately culminated in the development of the Galleria Department Store Gwanggyo, situated in Suwon's burgeoning "new town" neighborhood in Gyeonggi Province.

The design of Gwanggyo Galleria is distinguished by its textured mosaic stone exterior and an innovative public route featuring a multifaceted glass structure. This departure from traditional retail architecture norms deliberately integrates windows and outdoor views, challenging the conventional approach of inward-focused shopping environments.

The architect noted the dual nature of the client's request.

"One was very much about making an efficient building... don't do something useless, don't make big voids," he said. "Yet they also said, 'We don't want to repeat ourselves, we do want something innovative and we want to be at the forefront of retail development in Korea.'"

To address these contrasting demands, OMA's design for Galleria Gwanggyo embraced both efficiency and innovation.

"On one hand, we have a very simple cube... but we added these routes, which pick people up from the sidewalk and bring people to the roof, which is basically an extension of the sidewalk," he explained.

This design choice not only optimizes the use of space, but also creates a social hub where people can enjoy the retail environment without the obligation to purchase.

The building's stone facade represents another aspect of this balance, designed to give Gwanggyo a landmark with a sense of permanence and identity.

"We wanted to put something there that looks monumental and very present, as if it was there since 1,000 years," van Duijn said, emphasizing the desire to create a central point of gravity near Gwanggyo's iconic lake park.

Hongik University's new Seoul campus is designed by OMA aiming to reconnect the school with the surrounding neighborhood. Courtesy of OMA

Revitalizing Hongik University

OMA won a design competition last November with its innovative concept for the new Seoul campus of Hongik University, against some of the world's top architectural firms. This project marks a groundbreaking endeavor, intertwining educational spaces with the vibrant ambiance of the Hongdae area. By doing so, it successfully rejuvenates the energetic and artistic essence of Hongik University within its neighborhood.

Founded in 1946, Hongik University has played a pivotal role in Korea's art education landscape and resides at the core of the Hongdae area, aptly named after the university. This neighborhood is renowned for its vibrant assortment of clubs, cafes and shops. Leveraging relaxed city regulations, the university's expansion onto its sports grounds presented a unique opportunity to reimagine and revitalize the dynamic interplay between the campus and its surrounding community.

"In their mission statements, they were asking for a project that was a manifestation of the culture of Hongik University. Well, that is not something you can do by Googling or reading a book. So the way we approached it was we, with the whole design team, spent almost a week there," van Dujin explained his approach to understand and capture the unique dynamics of Hongik University and Hongdae neighborhood.

"We were intrigued by the enormous energy that this area has and, at the same time, felt very much that that historical relationship between the two, which once was very present, over the years, was lost."

Instead of emphasizing traditional architectural aspects such as building volume or facades, the OMA team directed its attention toward crafting a fluid and interactive space that fosters engagement and movement.

"The Hongik University culture was almost like a working organism... It's this maze, which somehow seems to function and provide all these different conditions where students can meet. So it's a very compact, very energetic, compressed condition," van Duijn explained.

The design introduces a central level serving as a communal hub for the university, with three levels above and three below, effectively acting as a nexus for academic, social and cultural activities.

"So this is the exchange level between city and the campus," the architect said, adding that he intended to create a space that serves both the university and the broader community, with courtyards between buildings and green rooftops extending this connectivity.

"In that sense, on many levels, we dissolve the boundary and introduce a lot of conditions that students or residents can use to work, to relax, to study, to do a performance and to hang out with, trying to have the two engage again."