Joyful Church
2016 RELIGIOUS ART AND ARCHITECTURE AWARDS Pohang, South Korea The Beck Group, Dallas, Texas Photographers: Sung Hoon Yum Associates: POSCO A&C Consultants: IDIBRI (Acoustics/ AVL) Contractors: Seohee Construction June 2014
The Joyful Church’s vision was to have a design that expressed a strong symbolic Christian message incorporating traditional Korean references in a fusion of architecture, faith and culture. The location was a 10 acre site in a new town development area of Pohang, South Korea, with challenges including steep, wooded hillsides and strict zoning limitations. The solution provided a 383,500 square foot facility that integrated into the landscape with gently flowing lines wrapping a large central plaza. Spaces included a 2700-seat sanctuary, 800-seat chapel, cafeteria, cafe, library, fitness facilities, children’s and youth spaces, community services facilities and a 350-car underground parking garage. Placement of the buildings into the natural hillsides and careful orientation of glazing allowed ample natural light into the spaces while providing greater energy efficiency. To blend the practical functions of modern Christian church with the culture the design team drew inspiration from Korea’s rich history of architecture, crafts and calligraphy.