originally, core architects’ ‘peace and culture bunker’ — a concrete anti-tank defense shelter — was a military facility built on the way from the north to the south in korea during the civil war. it was completed in 1970 and was originally used for the military usage on its first floor, and residence for the soldiers from the 2nd to 4th. the apartment was basically for the soldiers but also a camouflage for concealing the military facility underneath it.

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
the peace and the culture bunker was a military facility built during the korean war
all images by hwang hyo chel

 

 

the bunker renovated by korean based studio core architects consists of five units and each one connected with a corridor. the whole length reaches almost 250 meters. each volume — 40 m by 14 m — contains a C-shaped space for military operations and additional space for supporting it. as a renovating strategy, some old parts have been removed except the C-shaped space and a new space with steel structure has been added in front of the courtyard.

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
the bunker is located between north and south korea

 

 

the new construction and courtyard serve as working and resting spaces for the artists and the local community. the remaining part of the old facility is supposed to be used as a space for various activities such as exhibitions and lectures, and for the newly constructed buildings, support facilities such as offices and a janitor’s room have been assigned to unit 1, as well as studios for artists in unit 2, 3, and 4. a restaurant for the community is located in unit 5. in front of the unit 5, a 20 m-high observatory has been constructed as a resting space which offers a view over the park and surrounding natural environment.

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
the 20 m-high observatory offers a view over the park and surrounding natural environment

 

 

the rooftop space provides resting walks that reach 250 meters long linking the 5 units. in the indoor condition, the path is continued to the west of the jungnangchen stream as well, with the corridor in the bunker and two underground paths. hopefully, core architects’ ‘peace and culture bunker’ sitting in a space that connects the past with the present, linking the north-south citizen park axis and the west-east natural environment axis will continue to enrich its own meaning in terms of both time and space.

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
the rooftop space provides resting walks that reach 250 meters long linking the 5 units

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
with a minimum intervention, the remaining part of the concrete has been intended to keep its trace

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
the C-shaped space is not removed and a new steel-structured space has been added in front of the courtyard

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
the new construction and courtyard serve as working and resting spaces for artists and the community

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
the remaining part of the old bunker is supposed to be used as a space for various activities

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
support facilities have been assigned to unit 1 and studios for artists in unit 2, 3 and 4

 

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
floor plan

core architects converts a concrete military facility in korea into a cultural center
section plan

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom