Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Czech Republic

Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Czech Republic, is located in a cultural heritage preservation area. Initially, during consultations with the National Heritage Institute (NHI), there was a suggestion that complete demolition of the existing building might be possible. Consequently, plans were made to demolish the entire existing structure and design the new building layout to consider the lighting, ventilation, and views of adjacent buildings, but after an on-site inspection by the NHI, it was required to preserve the historically valuable Street Wing (Villa), leading to partial demolition, new construction, and
restoration.

Subsequently, based on additional requirements from the Prague City Cultural Heritage Department (HD), a second modification was made to include the complete demolition of the West Wing, restoration of the Street Wing facade, maintaining a 2-meter gap between the West Wing and Street Wing, and installing a connecting bridge. Additionally, the south end of the new building on the West Wing had to align with the south end of the Villa’s
outer wall.

The interior was based on the concept of the moon jar, which symbolizes moderation and compactness without any pattern decorations, and asubtle and simple image was spatialized by adding lighting to it.

본 프로젝트는 문화유산 보존지역에 위치하여 국가문화유산협회(National Heritage Institute, NHI)와 최초 협의 시 전면 철거 가능하다는 의견에 따라 기존 건물 전체 철거 후 인접 건물의 채광, 통풍, 조망을 고려한 건물 배치를 고려하였으나, NHI의 현장실사 후 역사적 가치가 높은 Street Wing(Villa) 존치 요구로 인해 일부 철거 및 신축, 일부 복원 및 보수 등 1차 변경하였다. 이후에 프라하 시 문화유산관리국(Heritage Department, HD)의 추가 요구에 따라 West Wing 전면 철거, Street Wing Facade 복원, West Wing과 Street Wing 간 2m 이격 및 연결 다리 설치, West Wing에 신축할 건물의 남측 외벽 단부를 Villa의 남측 외벽 단부 위치와 일치시키는 등 2차 변경하였다.

인테리어는 아무런 문양 장식도 없이 절제와 담박함을 상징하는 달항아리의 이미지를 컨셉으로 하여 순백이 주제가 되는 공간을 구현하고 거기에 조명을 더함으로 은은하고 담박한 이미지를 공간화하였다.