Reviews
The book discusses urban architecture based on the themes of carts, automobiles, elevators, and the online world. The author defines the most ideal urban architecture as a space created by carts—a place where people walk, and where commerce and life unfold. Subsequently, the author explains the causes of highways, suburbanization, and shopping malls originating in the United States, all triggered by automobiles, and criticizes the urban isolation and desolation brought about by these malls. The
I have inadvertently marveled at the outward beauty of architecture and felt a sense of mystery regarding the unique characteristics of certain cities. I had never deeply contemplated such beauty, but the moment I opened this book, its true nature became visible. To quote the author, “Land without roads becomes blind land—that is, landlocked.” In other words, all architecture is interconnected with roads. In this book, the author unfolds 19 short stories through the themes of roads, speed, and
"Architecture of the Street Corner" is quite profound; the book has a considerable depth. Since it is a story about architecture, I imagine it might be a difficult book to approach for someone who hasn't had an interest in the subject. However, the homes we live in, the offices we work in, and the streets we walk are all architecture. I believe that people and architecture are mutually created. Lately, especially while passing through Seoul, I have seen many different art projects. Although a
Corner Architecture When visiting famous European cities such as Paris, London, and Venice, one often feels that the entire city is a single work of art, with historically old buildings harmonizing with modern ones. In Korea as well, walking through the back alleys of Seoul's old downtown or through the irregular, non-uniform streets of Insa-dong and Hyehwa-dong often evokes a sense of inexplicable charm. Although many cultural heritage sites remain today due to numerous past wars, if one were
When you step out onto the street, you see countless buildings. Born and raised in the city, I have always been surrounded by these structures. Buildings are an inseparable part of our lives. This book tells the story of the streets and architecture found in the city's intermediate zones. It explores how roadside architecture has changed and evolved along the timeline of "carts, automobiles, elevators, and online." It captures both the admirable and shameful aspects of our urban architecture,
This was an opportunity to reflect on our perspective looking into the cracks of an image-driven city hurtling toward excess, overcrowding, and megacities. From everyday reflections on Hongdae, Garosu-gil, and the back alleys, to the public nature of the offline world and the online city, the author’s opinions, deeply connected to daily life, can be said to be more than mere knowledge and information read in text. Would it be an exaggeration to say that I could feel the author’s desire to offer
Kim Seong-hong: Street corner architecture
"Corner Architecture," a hopeful intermediate architecture that transcends the era of "Construction Korea." Kim Seong-hong, the author of *New Imagination in Urban Architecture*—which explored the direction of our urban architecture—and currently a professor at the Department of Architecture, Seoul National University, presents a more reflective discourse on urban architecture through accessible writing. This book tells stories about roads and architecture in the intermediate zones of the city, seeking a self-portrait of our cities within the history of architecture and civilization through the four decisive phases that changed the pace of humanity: the cart, the automobile, the elevator, and the online world. Traveling directly to urban sites around the world—ranging from ancient and medieval Western cities to the cities of China and Joseon, and from underground spaces to online virtual spaces—the author introduces intermediate architecture in these liminal zones where residential, commercial, and cultural elements coexist. Through this, the book analyzes the current state of our cities and presents the vision of the cities we will create in the future.
Korean title: 길모퉁이 건축
Korean author: 김성홍
Korean publisher: 현암사
ISBN-13: 9788932315980
Reviews
The book discusses urban architecture based on the themes of carts, automobiles, elevators, and the online world. The author defines the most ideal urban architecture as a space created by carts—a place where people walk, and where commerce and life unfold. Subsequently, the author explains the causes of highways, suburbanization, and shopping malls originating in the United States, all triggered by automobiles, and criticizes the urban isolation and desolation brought about by these malls. The
I have inadvertently marveled at the outward beauty of architecture and felt a sense of mystery regarding the unique characteristics of certain cities. I had never deeply contemplated such beauty, but the moment I opened this book, its true nature became visible. To quote the author, “Land without roads becomes blind land—that is, landlocked.” In other words, all architecture is interconnected with roads. In this book, the author unfolds 19 short stories through the themes of roads, speed, and
"Architecture of the Street Corner" is quite profound; the book has a considerable depth. Since it is a story about architecture, I imagine it might be a difficult book to approach for someone who hasn't had an interest in the subject. However, the homes we live in, the offices we work in, and the streets we walk are all architecture. I believe that people and architecture are mutually created. Lately, especially while passing through Seoul, I have seen many different art projects. Although a
Corner Architecture When visiting famous European cities such as Paris, London, and Venice, one often feels that the entire city is a single work of art, with historically old buildings harmonizing with modern ones. In Korea as well, walking through the back alleys of Seoul's old downtown or through the irregular, non-uniform streets of Insa-dong and Hyehwa-dong often evokes a sense of inexplicable charm. Although many cultural heritage sites remain today due to numerous past wars, if one were
When you step out onto the street, you see countless buildings. Born and raised in the city, I have always been surrounded by these structures. Buildings are an inseparable part of our lives. This book tells the story of the streets and architecture found in the city's intermediate zones. It explores how roadside architecture has changed and evolved along the timeline of "carts, automobiles, elevators, and online." It captures both the admirable and shameful aspects of our urban architecture,
This was an opportunity to reflect on our perspective looking into the cracks of an image-driven city hurtling toward excess, overcrowding, and megacities. From everyday reflections on Hongdae, Garosu-gil, and the back alleys, to the public nature of the offline world and the online city, the author’s opinions, deeply connected to daily life, can be said to be more than mere knowledge and information read in text. Would it be an exaggeration to say that I could feel the author’s desire to offer
