Birth of Yulgok-road, disconnecting heritages

Overlaps of 1931 and 2019 Yulgok-Road

In 1931, during the Japanese colonial era, a new city plan resulted in the separation of Jongmyo Shrine and Changgyeonggung Palace from the rest of the city. This disconnection of cultural properties from the people contributed to the suppression of Joseon culture. Besides Yulgok-road, there are various other roads in the area that also disconnect heritage sites.

Maps from before 1931 are not reliable for identifying specific locations or features. Therefore, it is reasonable to use 1931 as the starting point for restoration efforts, as it is difficult to accurately determine the historical significance of earlier periods. Thus, it is crucial to carefully coordinate and collaborate on the manipulation of different timelines for the next step.

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Historical Representation in Korea

Restoration projects in South Korea have often resulted in indiscriminate results that ignore the essential meaning and purpose of restoration. Overlooking the significance of preserving cultural heritage and historical significance could bring people today to misunderstand the facts.

Restoration Strategy 1. Respecting 2019

It is important that restoration projects remain relevant to modern times while also respecting the historical significance of 1931.

Restoration Strategy 2. Tracing Historic Significances of 1931

Finding and manipulating the elements of the connection created by the 1931 wall

The site contains two main axis. The horizontal axis of 2019 Yulgok-road and the vertical axis of 1931 where the wall and Bukshin gate was connecting the two heritages. Manipulating historical traces from the 1931 wall line, re-organizing the elements with two axis.

Five significant points with sectors could be manipulated. Optimize visitor access to two distinct heritage sites. Yulgok Road, a well-established spaces in daily use since 2019, offers a pedestrian-friendly gateway to these cultural treasures.

Sectional traces would be the traces of connections. Five points from the 1931 wall line and levels are the key.

1931

The only bridge that connected the two heritage sites after the Yulgok-Road was created.

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Sectional overlaps

Sectors of levels

One of the sectors, the same level of two land would be the key of the connection. The trace of Bukshin-gate

Five Historical Significance

The strategy to restore Yulgok-road aims to turn it to street where people walk and rest in their daily lives. The architecture itself could make a space that can amplify the moods where people can meditate. The five main elements which is the new Bukshinmun-Gate, Jongmyo-Platform, Underground, Connections, and Intersecting walls will manipulate the daily lives in historical manner.

Bukshinmun Gate

Bukshinmun, the gate that the king used to connect the two cultural properties, becomes a vertical and horizontal transition space that amplifies spatial experience.

Platform

In the space belonging to Jongmyo, a wide platform Woldae symbolizes the Jongmyo. Next to it, the old 1931 fortress wall line forms the main movement line.

Underground

Plan an underground connecting passage to amplify spatial transition. The passage leading to the heterogeneous Yulgok-ro establishes a zone on Yulgok-ro.

Bridge

The new and old bridges actively connect the two cultural properties and at the same time intersect the elements to provide a new space.

Intersecting Wall

The intersecting walls impression on people through their heterogeneous but harmonious appearance through difference.

Space Sytem with New Elements

Spaces Found in Two Heritages

Elements for Connections

Bukshinmun acts as a core, connecting the new Yulgok street and the two cultural properties through modern pedestrian and vehicle roads.

ChanggyeonggungWalkingPath

Yulgok Street Weaves into Daily Lives

Yulgok street has been transformed into a place that is integrated into people's daily lives, with outdoor spaces for reflecting on old history and a new sense of connection to the past.

Walking through Manipulated Timelines

Wall lines of 1931 and 2019 and other timelines are intersecting, creating a path of different time lines.