A great place to go with kids this weekend

_hyogeun_

“Not even children. good and bad”
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A place that impressed me quite a bit when I was a kid still remains in my mind. You may be thinking, 'Why is that now?', but it was fresh to me at the time. I spent my childhood in a kindergarten belonging to a public elementary school. The elementary school itself was large and large, so it was called the Korean version of Hogwarts, and in fact, there was no place in Ulsan that could beat this place in terms of scale. After school, it was the perfect place to hang out with friends, and since I couldn't visit all the places because of my small body, it must have felt better to go to a new place every day.
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The kindergarten was located in the basement on a large site, so to go to the kindergarten from the front door, you had to go down a ramp. Fortunately, the distance between the ramp and the classroom is wide, with a playground between them and plenty of light, creating an ambiguous space that is underground but not underground. That ambiguous space was a hideout for me, and it was also a pretty romantic space where I could only see the sky when I stood there and looked up. Back then, like now, power lines, noisy signboards, and tall apartments were covering the sky.
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In front of the entrance to the kindergarten, which is reached by going down the ramp, the ground floor sidewalk passes overhead, so it was a dark space even in the daytime. The playground where the sunlight shines brightly and the place where I stand have always been in harmony with the contrast of black and white, and the impressive and good experience of that time is still clear to this day.
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He spent his school days at the Korean version of Hogwarts until the 4th grade, and then transferred to a school next door. The school was in the shape of a typical matchbox, a straight building that could be seen everywhere. So I don't have many good memories there. When I was young, I knew how to tell the difference between good and bad.
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Many of the good memories of that time come to mind even now as an adult. Of course, even the bad memories remain traumatized and tormented me, but in fact, I have read somewhere that the brain forgets bad memories quickly, so my thinking is not without credibility.
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That's why I'm very interested in the 'children' spaces that I see coming and going these days. Like the space mentioned in the introduction, if we had experienced many good spaces when we were young, would the one-size-fits-all space we take for granted fill our surroundings equally?
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The 'Sanmaru Playground', which I will introduce today, is located on a steep hill and draws people's attention, and it resembles the moment I experienced at that time.
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In the playground, which looks like a spaceship or a volcano, there is a jungle gym that is over 9m tall. Enough for children to show off their explorer temperament, and the end of the ramp that wraps around the jungle gym becomes an observatory, an open space that adults can enjoy as well. Since only the top of the building is open without a single window, only the jungle gym shines brightly like the stage lights. The ramp naturally becomes a dark space, and the depth is deep, so the contrast between black and white is clearer.
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In every moment of running and falling and getting hurt, touching the soil at the playground, feeling the smell and feeling, and becoming an explorer who enters the jungle gym and explores the maze, this space remains as a background of memories. The good moments I experienced as a child are forever remembered, and just as I longed for a good space until now as an adult, maybe the children who experienced this place will long for a good space in the future. So there should be more spaces like this around us.
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#A space that gives you a good _experience
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39, Changsin 6ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Daily 09:00 - 19:00 (Closed on Mondays)

_hyogeun_

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Gwacheon has shown power and majesty architecturally. However, now such intents and expressions do not match the current generation. Architecture has already grown grand, flaunting every aesthetic. Now, to captivate people bored with grandiosity, it starts infiltrating everyday life as small, unobtrusive elements. Architecture, once exclusive to a privileged few, is now accessible for anyone to experience and enjoy. Subsequently, everyday objects are promoted as having the power to dramatically change life. Apple proclaims its products are the most grandeur and superior to everything in the world. Consequently, objects are increasingly appealing as gigantic, whereas architecture strives to become smaller and friendlier to people. It must be so. At an age overflowing with ways and information to easily enjoy architecture, perpetuating the architectural approach of the old-generation architects who had to lead Korean architecture after the Korean War to today's generation, is improper. Gwacheon, unlike the stubborn oldies, is striving to become an insider, capable of aligning with the current generation. The two spaces unfolding in the newly renovated circular exhibition room converge on the word 'rest'. The garden uses the vegetation of the surrounding mountains and fields as its main materials, and its interior allows one to sit around and appreciate the vegetation. In spring, the place becomes a hotspot for butterflies and birds, and a rest area that many people visit as a space that relieves the tension that had been stiffened with dignity and majesty. It has the power to attract people as an insider, not an oldie.

_hyogeun_

"Attitude to listen to space"
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I finally came I procrastinated saying that I should go every time, and now it doesn't seem like I'll have enough time, so I set off. It was about an hour away, but an hour from Seoul is not too far away, so I arrived at the Grand Park Station with a pounding heart as usual. 10 minutes from the station to the museum on the map. But in reality it was much further away. In fact, I found out that the famous elephant train existed when I was out of the space. Still, a story that was completed by walking directly from the station to this place became the subject of this article, and the labor was a good experience.
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The approach to architecture. There are two main ways to enter the building. One is to drive to the underground parking lot and take the elevator to the lobby, and the other is to walk into the building. The architect designs the building and the surrounding landscape. In other words, we are thinking about what kind of experience we can give to users who use the building, but we also think about what kind of experience we can give to the moment they enter the building. So the former is not a good way for those who visit to experience the building.
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The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, is quite large and has several parking lots and various access roads. Among them, this is the route I recommend. For those who climb on foot, when you see the parking lot of the museum, we recommend that you go through the parking lot and go back gently, rather than turning around. Also, I would like people who drive cars to park in the museum's dedicated parking lot rather than the campground parking lot located deep inside the museum and follow the gently curved line to enter the museum.
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As you walk along the gently curved road, you can see the entrance and the cool straight line of movement, and although it is not actually symmetrical, you can tell the moment you see the building, which is laid out in a balanced way based on a cylindrical building. It means that all of this was the architect's thoroughly calculated intention. It can be said that this is the result of arranging the building to face south, but that opinion is not valid here as the museum needs to face north and there are no obstacles to block the light. The biggest reason was the weight that the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Gwacheon had to bear.
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The Gwacheon Museum holds the longest period of time among contemporary art museums. Since it was officially opened in 1986 under the title of 'National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art,' for the first time, the media and citizens were very interested in it. Nam June Paik, an artist representing Korea’s modern and contemporary history, created a work for the main exhibition building of Gwacheon, and on the ceiling above it, ‘We built a hall that will shine in the development of our art here, and I put it up on a beam in honor of today’s good day. The inscription reads, 'Develop to the fullest.' It can be guessed that the weight of the Gwacheongwan must have been considerable.
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I tried to express such a sense of weight with majesty and dignity, so that intention was reflected in the way of entry and expressed in the exterior materials that make up the building, and even more so in the exhibition hall of Nam June Paik’s work and the long three-story main exhibition hall. . The building converges to one intention. So, from the moment you enter the building, your thoughts are connected until you experience the space, creating a solid story. That is why I always choose the latter method among the methods of entry into architecture. In order to properly listen to the story that someone has prepared.
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*Currently, Nam June Paik's 'Many Wicks' is in a trial run for six months. So, supporters are installed around the work. I can't fully appreciate the work, but the supporters covering the work don't look too bad either.
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#A space that gives you a good _experience
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National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, 313, Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Daily 10:00 - 18:00 (Closed on Mondays)

_hyogeun_

“A yearning wish to become reality”
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Neighborhoods and villages are similar but different. A neighborhood is a place where people live, and a village is a place where many houses live. If the former is just a collection of houses, the latter gives the impression that the houses are gathering and interacting with people is taking place.
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'Gusan-dong Library Village'. This is the space to introduce. When I first saw the name of this building, I had a question, and that was the word 'village' attached to the building. I was curious as to why the word was used for a building that did not refer to a specific site, and this question was naturally resolved by walking around and seeing the process of the creation of the library displayed everywhere.
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Narrow lobby, cluttered shelves, and insufficient seating for a library. This was my first impression of this space. The size and number of necessary rooms were insufficient compared to the buildings built a long time later than the surrounding buildings, and the space composition did not look neat to be called a new construction.
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Yes. This is a building made by demolishing and repairing 8 houses and 3 villas. The old house was demolished to become an open plaza and parking lot inside the building, and the villa's rooms and living room were renovated and transformed into an office and a cute reading room. The alleyway that connected different buildings has become a library corridor and bookshelves, allowing you to pick up books and imagine the old days of this place.
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In fact, not only the space but also the background of the library is unique. If you look around Gusan-dong, residential areas are densely packed, but parks and public buildings are not easily seen. Residents who have endured such inconveniences for a long time have personally signed a signature campaign to establish a library, and plan and practice various activities to receive various budget support. The result of the efforts of the residents was 'Gusan-dong Library Village'.
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Thanks to this, it has become a special place where people gather in Gusan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, where there were no public facilities, rather than the usual library, to form a community, interact with each other, and enjoy leisure. Therefore, this was a small 'village' where various activities between people took place, and for that reason, the word 'village' was given to the library, not just a library or neighborhood.
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Because there was a library that was created through the efforts of the residents and a background that cannot be seen anywhere else, the inconvenience of seeing this place from the eyes of others was just a cute foolishness. I could be sure it had been established.
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This is 'Gusan-dong Library Village'.
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#A space that gives you a good _experience
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29-23, Yeonseo-ro 13-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
Weekdays: 09:00~22:00
Weekends: 09:00~18:00

_hyogeun_

"We need more places like this around us." In the book [My Loved Spaces - Yoon Kwang-joon], there is a saying. "Have you ever been to Namsan Tower or Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Korea? Probably not many people have been there. Those who live in the city are not interested in famous places. We cannot feel any inconvenience even if it becomes occupied by tourists. The places that are more important to us are bus stops, train stations, kindergartens, community centres, libraries, post offices, police stations, and courts where we frequently spend time." This article introduces the 'Hannae Library' located in the Hannae Neighborhood Park in front of the Jungnangcheon in Nowon-gu. It has an outstanding exterior, resembling a forest of houses. Inside, various spaces are created due to the protruding ceiling following the roof. This library, dominated by the children, is full of children's books, so adults might find fewer books for them comparing to other libraries.

_hyogeun_

A space that is poorly planned and disjointed. The exhibition hall size and layout leave a lot to be desired. Furthermore, it seems the placement of the rooms was a rushed afterthought rather than a well-thought-out plan. Despite this, considering the city and neighborhood in which the Ulsan City Art Museum is located, it has the potential to be a place of hope for the citizens here. The area was once a bustling commercial area, filled with entertainment facilities, which made the streets of Seongnam-dong always busy. But times have changed and the glory days of the 'youth street' are over due to the entry of large retail businesses such as Lotte Department Store, Hyundai Department Store, and Upsquare, in the nearby Samseong-dong. However, the opening of Ulsan City Art Museum is changing the dynamics, attracting people of all ages. Though its inception took over a decade due to lack of a municipal art museum in Ulsan, it has been a significant development for the citizens here. The museum is not only a cultural representation of Ulsan, but is creating a bustling hub once more, attracting visitors who then consume local businesses such as eateries and retail shops.

_hyogeun_

“Memories of places that are newly engraved with time that accumulates one after another”
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As the layers of time pile up, the traces are engraved on the building as it is. The paint peels off, and the piles of dust make tear marks along with the rain. Just as the rising young generation threatens the older generation, old and torn buildings become shabby under the pressure of new and splendid buildings. Buildings that once received attention and once reached their heyday are no exception.
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Can such a building regain its reputation at that time? Looking at 'F1963', it doesn't seem like a possibility.
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The Suyeong Factory, located in Mangmi-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, is the first factory that became the birthplace of Goryeo Steel. As they were the ones who made it possible to successfully complete major projects such as Gwangan Bridge and Yi Sun-sin Bridge while producing wires for 45 years, they developed at an unpredictable speed for a short and long period of time. Its enlarged size and ferocious age made the factory no longer able to fulfill its role, and it was literally abandoned and neglected, degenerating into a neighborhood abomination.
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It was an abomination in the eyes of strangers, but it was a grateful place for giving me a job so that I could make a living in response to the rapidly increasing population of Busan after the Korean War. Therefore, this must have been a very meaningful space for the citizens of Busan, and for the first time, the government and companies joined hands to recreate the factory as a complex cultural space.
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The existing building shape and frame were maintained as much as possible, and only necessary parts were added. The exterior of the old and demolished building is partially hand-painted and the front door is painted with expanded metal in a color suitable for Busan, showing neatness and sophistication comparable to that of a new building that comes up.
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The book tower of wisdom was built in the place where the large crane used to be, so you can feel the various senses of space created by the space in the space. Part of the ceiling of the factory was torn off and a courtyard was created to create a place for people to gather, and materials from the process were recycled into benches and signs.
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The space that had to be wide enough to operate the machine has provided a space where people of all ages can enjoy together. From libraries, exhibition halls, cafes, restaurants, and concert halls, the Suyeong Factory, which has changed according to the times rather than staying in the past, will leave memories for Busan citizens again with 'F1963'.
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#A space that gives you a good _experience
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20, Gurak-ro 123beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan
09:00 - 21:00 daily

_hyogeun_

South Korea has an abundance of cafes, from franchises to those with clear concepts, attracting many people and serving a role similar to Western squares. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened this culture, as resting comfortably in spaces other than our homes has become challenging. This situation forces us to reconsider the architectural possibilities of creating pleasant spaces for people. South Korea's scarcity of public spaces like parks and squares means that people are spending money to enjoy the ambiance of cafes. Creating new public squares in densely built urban centers is not straightforward. A building in the city, remodeled three years ago, serves as an excellent example. The 'KB Youth Maru' is introduced as a space where the only elements distinguishing the inside from the outside are the building's bold columns, which also allow yellow stairs between them to serve as seating, thereby fulfilling the role of a square. These stair squares start from the first floor and lead up to the second, third floors, and the rooftop, providing spaces where people can rest, acting as a concert venue, and offering views of Hongdae Street. The building, originally the Gukmin Bank Seogyo Branch, was transformed into a youth cultural facility with the aim of returning public space to the people, creating a plaza where everyone can comfortably rest. In the COVID-19 era, finding a comfortable space to stay has become challenging. Spaces like 'KB Youth Maru', resembling open squares, should become more widespread, enabling people to communicate with others outside their homes. It is believed that this location will return as a delightful space for people once the situation eases, serving a role similar to a Korean square.

_hyogeun_

For over 110 years, the Yongsan US military base, marked by Japan and the US military, has been a land with deep scars. The 'Songhyeon-dong,' not accessible by the public despite being South Korean territory, was named for its many pine trees. It became a forbidden land after being used by the Japanese army and later the US military. The site, soon to be transformed into a proud landmark of Seoul as it opens up, highlights how absence in an urban space can result in significant disconnection. The newly accessible 'Open Songhyun' enhances Seoul with leisurely space in the city center. Unfortunately, this story speaks to 2024, leaving limited time to enjoy the open skies and parkland before the Lee Kun-hee Museum takes over.

_hyogeun_

“사람과 사람이 만나다” - 쌈지길
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인사동은 서울에서 몇 안 되는 전통 거리의 모습을 가진다. 집이 옹기종기 모여 자연스레 마을을 이루고, 안과 밖을 구분 지어주던 담장은 도시에서 거리를 만든다. 그 거리는 과하게 넓지도 좁지도 않은 흔히 ‘휴먼스케일’에 적합한 공간감을 가지고 있기에, 편안하고 고즈넉한 분위기를 연출한다. 그리고 그 길은 단순히 통행길의 성격을 넘어, 사람과 사람이 만나는 장이기도 했다.
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오늘날 대부분의 거리는 그런 정취를 느낄 수 없다. 사람보다 자동차가 우선시 되어버린 우리네 도시에 이미 커질 대로 커져 버린 도로는 휴먼스케일을 상실한 지 오래고, 그나마 남아있는 골목길은 자동차의 집이 되어버렸다. 이웃이 만나 정을 쌓던 공간은 더 이상 일상이 아니었고 그래서 더욱 많은 이들이 인사동과 같은 동네를 찾는 이유일지도 모르겠다.
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안타깝게도 인사동도 자동차의 공격 대상이 될 수밖에 없었다. 흐르는 시간에 비례하여 개발되는 지역과 넓어지는 도로는 자동차가 지나다닐 수 있는 여지를 주었다. 워낙에 유명한 관광지이다 보니, 사람이 몰리는 거리에 자동차가 그곳을 비집고 들어간다. 그 때문에 인사동은 곧 아비규환이었다. 그래서 군중 속을 비집고 들어가는 자동차 운전자도, 거리를 걸어 다니는 사람들도, 하물며 장사하는 상인들도, 누구 하나 편하지 않은 거리를 걸어다니는 건, 동네의 분위기를 느끼기도 전에 피곤한 일이 되어버렸다.
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인사동 차 없는 거리는 그렇게 탄생했다. 지역의 정체성을 되살리기 위해 거리를 비좁게 만드는 차량의 통행을 막았다. 덕분에 쾌적하고 안전해진 거리는 사람들을 골목 구석구석까지 걸어 다닐 수 있게 했고, 동네의 정취를 온전히 느낄 수 있게 되었다. 차를 가지고 오지 않는 사람들이 늘어날수록, 사람들은 쉽게 밥도 먹고 쇼핑도 하고 술도 마실 수 있으니 누구 하나 손해 보는 장사가 아니다.
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인사동 ‘쌈지길’은 이런 경험의 연장선상에 위치한다. 거리를 걸어 다니며 자연스레 1층 가게로 들어가 소비하는 경험이 건물에 그대로 녹아있다. 주머니의 순우리말인 ‘쌈지’와 ‘길’이 결합한 ‘쌈지길’은 말 그대로 메인 도로 한 쪽에 포켓 공간으로 마련된 건물이다.
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왜 건물 이름에 ‘길’을 붙였느냐고 묻는다면, 골목을 지나다니며 마주하게 되는 다양한 상점을 이곳에서 그대로 경험할 수 있기 때문이다. 마름모꼴 모양의 중정을 기준으로 빙 둘러 올라가는 경사로는 각 층과의 경험을 자연스럽게 이어준다. 우리가 1층에 있든, 4층에 있든, 경험이 똑같아 동네와 이질적이지 않다. 길에서 사람과 사람이 만나던 우리네 골목길처럼, 중정과 상점 앞길은 그런 모임의 장을 만들어준다.
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공간을 분할하고 공간을 배치하는 기존의 건물 형성 방식에서 벗어나, 길을 주축으로 각 상점을 배치했다. 그래서 낮고 작은 규모의 건물 사이에 큰 규모의 건물이 들어섰음에도 건물의 형태는 눈에 잘 띄지 않는다. 여기에 시간이 흐르면서 벽을 타고 오르는 덩굴식물과 계단실에 새겨진 추억의 낙서, 세월의 흔적을 보여주는 바닥의 마모는 더욱이 오랜 시간을 버텨온 인사동과 잘 어우러진다.
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한정된 텍스트와 사진으로는 이곳을 충분히 담아낼 수 없다. 길을 걸으며 인사동의 분위기와 자연스레 이어지는 쌈지길을 경험해보길 바란다.
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건축 : 최문규 (가아 건축사사무소)
사진, 글 : 신효근 ( @_hyogeun_ )
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#좋은_경험을_주는_공간

_hyogeun_

From a defensive standpoint, the basin shape of Hanyang (old Seoul) was ideal, but it was disadvantaged in terms of external exchange. Due to the lack of a vast plain behind Hanyang, it had to bring in supplies from outside, and waterways were the best method of transport at the time, making it crucial to secure a land route connecting Hanyang Fortress and the Han River.

There were nine land routes from the Han River to the fortress city. Among them, the route from Yongsan through Namdaemun to Gyeongbokgung Palace was the shortest and without mountains, making it the quickest way to enter the city. Therefore, the path connecting Yongsan-Seoul Station-Namdaemun-Gwanghwamun-Gyeongbokgung became one of the most important routes in Joseon.

Good roads for us were also favorable for outsiders. During the Japanese occupation, Japan seized this route by occupying Yongsan as a military base, and at the end of the occupation, attempted to sever the connection by establishing the Government-General of Korea. Thus, at that time, this route held more than just physical significance for us.

Knowing the reasons, endless efforts have been made to restore and preserve the original form of the road. The Government-General of Korea was demolished to reconnect the line, and Gwanghwamun Square was reorganized to make the thinned line thick again.

Regrettably, Gwanghwamun Square, created in 2009, reminded one of Nodeul Island, leading to an urban disconnect, and strayed from the concept of a 'square' that many could visit and enjoy without hesitation. It felt somewhat neglected, a space for whom was uncertain, visually connecting the lines but experientially still a dead space to us.

This place has been newly renovated this August.

The square, which was central, has expanded towards the Sejong Cultural Hall. People can enjoy the expanded square without any burden, and no longer need to endure the hassle of waiting for pedestrian crossings. The accessibility has improved incomparably to before, as it is now directly connected to the subway station. The mercilessly laid roads for the sake of modern city construction have been cleared to reveal relics that enrich the square, adding an element of fun in tracing the echoes of the era.

Children running around the expanded square freely, parents comfortably watching them, couples holding hands on a date, and foreigners reading books in sunglasses, reminiscent of New York's Central Park. The square now fulfills its role as a square incomparably better than before.

So far, we have made a lot of effort in the name of preserving lines, but only valued the view from the map, neglecting the experience of the users. The city, designed from a godlike perspective with the belief that one's logic is superior, ultimately created dead spaces, and we have borne the consequences.

After learning much through suffering, we have stopped repeating the same mistakes by not just looking down from above but coming down and looking ahead. And the result will enrich our lives with spaces that live up to their names and locations.

Photos, Text: Hyogeun Shin (@_hyogeun_)

#Space_Providing_Good_Experience

Sejong Story, 175 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

_hyogeun_

'People may not change, but spaces can' - Gwangjin Information Library

Sometimes, when experiencing a space, there is a sense of regret. Despite the good location and the building itself not being bad, providing potential for a great space, the poor interior showcases and haphazardly planned room configurations result in a loss of potential. This is commonly seen in public buildings, and is more apparent in older structures.

With a limited budget, priority is often given to maximizing effect, resulting in decorative elements being replaced with cheaper materials and construction methods to minimize labor costs. This prevents excessive maintenance costs and avoids criticism for unnecessary spending. Over time, mismatched programs are mixed into one space, and the purchase of equipment as needed results in an interior decoration lacking unity. Hence, the space could not come alive.

The 'Gwangjin Information Library' is a fairly large public building divided into a library section and a culture section, connected by a bridge. In front of the building flows the Han River, and above it passes the Seoul Metro Line 2. The building takes advantage of the marvelous view, opens large windows towards the scenery, and brings in ample light by angling the space. A spiral staircase centered around an elevator reduces the monotony with windows aligned to the movement flow.

However, due to various reasons mentioned earlier, the space's potential was buried, and it remained a space filled with regrets. Therefore, I did not even consider taking interior photos, and being no different from other libraries, I had no desire to revisit.

Recently, however, when I returned to the library to borrow or return books, the space, completely transformed, demanded my attention and compelled me to engage my camera.

The most notable change in the newly revamped space is the ceiling. By removing the uniformly finished ceiling and placing lights at regular intervals to highlight lines, not just horizontally but in a fan shape to fit the space's design, the space appears wider. The sightline naturally extends outdoors, allowing one to fully enjoy the charm of the place.

The 'Maker Space Workshop,' which was added over time and previously neglected in a corner, was moved to the center of the third floor of the library section through remodeling. The space is now divided by glass to block out noise without feeling claustrophobic, attracting people's attention to the unique appeal of the 'Gwangjin Information Library.'

With growing interest in public architecture and proactive engagement with spaces, there's a rising call for improved quality. Although many public buildings have attempted this change, few have shown good results. Fortunately, the Gwangjin Information Library seems to be a positive example.

However, since only the library section has been remodeled so far, the culture section has yet to discover its charm. Hopefully, the remaining spaces will also be transformed soon to be loved by the community.

Spaces, unlike people, can change if one is willing.

Architecture - Top Engineering Architects Office
Photo, Article - Hyogeun Shin (@_hyogeun_)

#space_that_provides_a_good_experience

Seoul, Gwangjin-gu, Achasan-ro 78gil 90
Weekdays 09:00 - 22:00
Weekends 09:00 - 18:00
Closed on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month

_hyogeun_

“함께 성장하는 공간”
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아버지와 대화하면서, 빈 집에 대한 이야기를 한 적이 있다. 사람이 살지 않은 채, 오랫동안 비워진 집은 눈 깜짝할 새도 없이 낡아, 제구실을 다하지 못하게 된다고. 할머니가 돌아가시고 남겨진 강원도에 있던 집은 텅 비게 되었다. 가끔 삼촌과 아버지가 그곳에 들려 집 상태를 확인하지만, 비워 놓은 시간이 더 많기에, 그 집은 얼마 지나지 않아 곳곳에 곰팡이가 피고 낡아버리고 말 것이다.
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건축은 생명체와 달리, 성장하지 않는다. 퇴화만 할 뿐이다. 땅을 파고 건물을 세워 올리는 일련의 과정을 성장이라 말할 수 있겠지만, 그것은 엄연히 생성의 과정이지, 완벽하게 형성된 개체가 완숙하게 자라는 것과는 거리가 멀다. 그래서 상처를 치유하는 능력도 없어, 쉽게 늙고 쉽게 상처받아, 그 흔적이 고스란히 몸에 새겨진다.
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페인트는 서서히 벗겨지고, 나무는 울어 곡소리를 낸다. 모든 틈을 막아주던 실리콘은 딱딱하게 굳고 떨어져, 그 사이로 빗물이 새기 시작한다. 수북이 쌓인 찌든 때는 비가 와서 흘러내려 건물에 눈물 자국을 만들어내기까지 한다. 건물도 늙어가는 자신이 슬픈가 보다. 이런 상처를 우리도 보기 싫었는지, 건물을 수도 없이 고친다. 다시 칠하고 창문을 닦고, 마룻바닥에 기름을 먹여 시간의 흐름을 늦춘다. 그렇기에 사람의 손길과 발길이 끊긴 공간이 퇴화하는 건 당연한 수순일지도 모르겠다.
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우리는 건물의 퇴화를 부정적으로 보고, 시간의 흐름을 역행하려 온 힘을 쏟아붓지만, 이곳은 되려 그 흐름을 덤덤하게 받아들이려 한다. 엘리베이터와 계단, 무작위로 꽂힌 막대기가 전부인 이곳은 전망대다. 특별한 시설 없이 언덕 위에 홀로 서있기에, 비를 잘 맞고, 빛을 온몸으로 받으며, 변덕스러운 날씨를 그대로 겪는다. 그래서 이 전망대는 그 상처가 더 깊게 새겨진다. 
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이곳은 사실 한참 전에 완공되었다. 코로나 사태로 전망대 사용이 불가능했고, 때문에 사람들의 발길이 닿지 않아, 이미 예전부터 상처받고 있었다. 하지만, 녹슨 자국과 눈물 자국은 깊어지는 상처만큼 함께 자라나는 덩굴식물이 이를 치유할 것으로 보인다.
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이곳의 이름인 ‘자라나는 숲’처럼 상처는 푸른 잎이 가려주어 흉물이 아닌, 하나의 커다란 나무로 보이게 할 것이며, 전망 공간을 나무 위에 마련한 집처럼 보이게 할 것이다. 머지않아 전망대 지붕에는 새가 둥지를 트고, 벽에는 버섯이 자랄지도 모른다. 덩굴식물은 난간과 계단, 하물며 엘리베이터 안까지 들어와 영역을 표시하고, 주변 식물은 더욱 무성해질 것이다.
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생명이 깃들어 있지 않지만, 자연이 이곳에 생명을 불어넣는다. 그래서 ‘자라나는 숲’의 이름처럼 이곳은 자연과 함께 성장하고 있는지도 모르겠다. 어쩌면 할머니 집도 낡아 없어지는 것이 아니라, 자연으로 가득 채워지려고 하는 게 아닐까. 그런 관점으로 이 두 공간을 바라본다면, 앞으로의 성장이 기대된다.
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#좋은_경험을_주는_공간
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