2021 The Good Place Awards
2021 Korean Institute of Architects Awards (Best 7)
2021 Gyeongsangnam-do Architecture Awards
“Between
Azalea and Silvergrass” is a rest stop for tourists of
Hwangmae Mountain County Park, Korea and acts as gateway to the trail 850m
above sea level dotted with azaleas that bloom in spring and with silvergrass
in autumn. The design of this building is purposefully low to the ground,
directing the attention to the breathtaking wilderness around it instead. It is
further shaped like a crescent moon to emulate the shape of the mountain around
it, allowing it to seamlessly blend into the surrounding landscape. In leaving
various sections of the building empty, the azaleas and silvergrass peek
through, like the smile of a child with missing teeth.
“Between
Azalea and Silvergrass” is a concrete frame finished
only with iron and glass. The building will slowly merge with the nature around
it as time passes. It will change color to match the season, and will become
spotted with rust from wind and rain. Although the Hwangmae mountain began as a
pasture created to feed cattle, the azalea and silvergrass created a sight so
beautiful, we hoped the architecture would slowly meld with the surrounding
nature. It was named ‘Between Azaleas and Silvergrass’ due to the image of the azaleas and silvergrass emerging through
gaps in the building; on the other hand, it is also a metaphor for our minds
vacillating between a spring outing for azaleas or an autumn trip for
silvergrasses.