ida & billy proposes a ring with vernacular roof to embrace korean memorial park

the main notion behind ida & billy architects’ design proposal for yisabu dokto memorial park in korea is to link up several volumes within the site to unify them as a collective entity. symbolically, the project represents the unification of ancient korea by general yisabu and his voyage to dokto islands. ‘the ring’ weaves the old and new fabric together to create a clearer definition of the new development. the ring expands and contracts to connect itself with the existing roofscape and to create an adequate amount of space for various programs.

aerial view from the main entry overlooking the museum and internal gardens

the existing volumes are selected and kept for their aesthetic and cultural value – the vernacular roof. with their volume protruding on the plan, programs are inserted under these roofs; with their intricate structure retained. these volumes are connected via a ring with various widths to create a diversity in spatial quality both internally and externally. external pocket spaces are created where volumes are closely packed together. the largest volume, which is new, houses the symbolic yisabu exhibition hall. this results in a hierarchy among the fluid roofscape.

the main entrance to the visitor center and yisabu dokdo exhibition space

ida & billy has divided the ring is divided into three zones spread across the site – the visitor center, yisabu dokdo exhibition space, and the art and culture village. the visitor center is placed nearest to the public, fronting the bustling street to receive visitors and tourists. the yisabu dokdo exhibition spaces are grouped at the southeastern side facing the obun port due to its historical significance as a point of departure to dokdo. the art and culture village is slightly reorganized by re-purposing certain existing shops and houses into art pavilions, workshops with artists’ residence above and gallery. these shops and houses are carefully selected and curated to maximize social opportunities and public engagement through their placement, orientation, and the resulting open spaces. new private residences would be provided around the area in exchange for the spaces used.

yisabu exhibition space overlooks the internal garden

visitors enter the main foyer from the street, which splits it into two parts – one towards the visitor center, and the other towards the yisabu dokdo exhibition space. as the location used to be the east watch gate of the old fortress (jindongru), the main entrance should also serve as the gateway to the new development. from the foyer, one starts their course through a winding path and descends into a heightened and long space, uniformly lined with rows of wood-carved lions that extend into the internal garden. a linear soft light diffuses from above, pointing towards the obun port. an invisible void is left amidst the lions, embodying the symbolic figure of general yisabu and his wisdom and vision that made up present korea. visitors then ascends to the dokdo exhibition space where the highlight is the three-dimensional model of dokdo that emerges from the rough basalt flooring. when one exits the exhibition space, they enter the cobblestone trail that leads to the art and cultural village while passing through misoo temple. within the village, art pavilions, rock gardens, and outdoor artworks co-exist with the fabric. art plazas and green pockets are discovered along the route. the trail ends at the shop and café area of the visitor centre.

yisabu memorial hall with lion statues placed in a grid extending to the internal garden

the existing roof and structure that highlight the vernacular architecture are retained, while the new roof is covered with similar clay tiles to create a consistent language. timber is mostly kept for structural purposes and to emphasize the bridging of the old and the new. a major part of the building is flanked with glass panels while the other is finished with raw and textured basalt stone on the exterior and smooth honed basalt on the interior walls. in the art and culture village, part of the walls is extracted creating openings to maximize visual interaction.

dokdo experience space with the dokdo model ‘emerging’ from the basalt flooring and virtual reality video projection

the ring ties together the old and new, history and art, locals and visitors, under a ring of roofs

floor plan

view of the main entry and roofscape from the street

section across the major rooms

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: maria erman | designboom