Client: Yonsei University
Location: Incheon, Korea, Republic of
Completion date: 2013
Artwork budget: $700,000
Project Team
Artist
Sangyoon Kim
listen Communication
Interior Designer
Listen Communication
Listen Communication
Overview
Location: Yonsei Univ. International Campus, 162-1, Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Korea
Area: 680m2
Floor: marble, wood flooring
Wall: Western red cedar, Fabric (screen), black H/R
Ceiling: Fabric (screen), Vinyl Paint
Christine Chapel is more than just a lecture room for Yonsei University students. It is also a multi-purpose hall for the general public that includes a theater, a concert hall, a seminar room, and more.
Goals
The design of Christine Chapel focuses on adjusting balance. The interior design of the chapel is balanced between its primary purpose as a chapel and being a multi-purpose hall. Great effort has been made to ensure that the space is completely suited for each purpose. In addition, its design simultaneously reflects Christian spirit and Korean culture. Overall, the design harmonizes with nature and adds a human element. The chairs in the hall were made for efficient use of the space. They can be deployed for individual use and they are stackable. Large sheets of transparent fabric are overlapped with a screen during church services which transforms the Gothic stained glass to take on a modern view point. It filters out sunlight from the stage and make the space neat and rich. By opening the sliding doors of the hall, the space expands as far as the eye can see, to the hills and surrounding natural spaces. The stage area is open, but the electric collapsible wall closes during performances to focus the audience’s attention on the stage. The clean white stage wall is suitable for various stage management with image projection and lighting effects.
Process
It was not easy to persuade the conservative Korean society to use the sacred and solemn chapel as a multi-purpose venue.
The project was possible because of the collaboration with a school officials who respected the designer's concept of the place where the worship service and the situations that was to be done on a small budget.
The first tried and tested wall acoustic absorption system was possible because there was a cooperative partner who helped me despite small budget.
I would like to thank all the people who helped to complete this project once again .
Additional Information
The building has been praised for embodying the spiritual value of aesthetics that the university pursues. It is open to anyone as a multi-purpose cultural community space that can be for anything from a solemn place of worship to a theater for various genres. It is an inspiring place that communicates with people and enriches their lives. In contrast to general religious Gothic style architecture in Korea, it incorporates traditional Korean culture and spirit in its modern and minimal design. It speaks to the precious value of our culture.