Religious buildings recommended by architecture majors

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"A Place for Rest" - The Won Buddhism Wonnam Temple

These are tumultuous times. There's hardly any hopeful news amidst the rapidly changing society, and as the weather grows colder, feelings of loneliness deepen. To soothe loneliness, one might turn on YouTube or Netflix, only to feel it's a waste of time, or browse through social media, ending up feeling hurt by comparisons with others. Once enjoyable hobbies, like exploring spaces, have started to feel like a chore, burdening rather than liberating, as I notice myself compulsively taking photos with my phone in every new place. What I realized I needed was 'rest' itself.

Rest, to me, consists of both mental and physical relaxation. Mental relaxation is immersing oneself in introspection, while physical is simply lying down calmly. While physical rest can be achieved through sleep, mental rest requires authentic engagement with oneself to clear the mind.

Finding a space for mental rest is more challenging in daily life, which leads me to seek religious spaces regularly. The space I'm introducing today, 'Won Buddhism Wonnam Temple,' is one such religious architecture ideal for those seeking rest.

Built in 1969 and reborn in 2022, Wonnam Temple is geographically significant, bordered by Changgyeong Palace and Jongmyo to the west, Seoul National University Hospital to the north, Marronnier Park and Daehangno to the east, and Cheonggyecheon and Gwangjang Market to the south.

Won Buddhism encourages integrating faith and practice into daily life, making its spaces particularly attuned to urban contexts and harmonious with their surroundings. The building's form is intentionally indefinite, incorporating various shapes to blend with the expanded pathways around it, creating continuous movement and connecting the building seamlessly to its rooftop via the 'Path of the Buddha,' culminating in panoramic views.

The 'Daejakjeon,' the main space of Wonnam Temple directed by the Path of the Buddha, houses the Ilwon Sang, a symbol of the universe and everything within it according to Won Buddhism. The contrast between the unchanging Ilwon Sang and the shifting natural light creates a dramatic space conducive to reflection. The 12-meter-high column-free space and slightly tilted concrete walls guide focus to the Ilwon Sang, while the scent of wood from the floors and furniture wraps one in comfort, facilitating a clear focus and introspection.

Despite coming here to rest, I found myself snapping photos. It's regrettable but having taken the time to gather my thoughts, I now look forward to purely enjoying the space without my camera. Perhaps when life demands a pause again, a visit here might provide the strength to move forward.

Architecture by Cho Min-seok (@mass_studies)
Photos and writing by Shin Hyogeun (@_hyogeun_)

#A_Good_Experience_Space

22-2, Changgyeonggung-ro 22-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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"Journey to confirm and confirm your beliefs and to look back on yourself"
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Since the primitive purpose of the building was to protect itself, the space has been used as an extremely functional element. However, if the space operates as a religious architecture, the story is a little different. Religious architecture is not about the purpose of protection, but rather about how to express and show the values they believe in architecturally. If we look at religious architecture with a primitive purpose, it can be said that it is a non-functional architecture. It is a hallway, but there is no roof, so it is a non-functional, dangerous, and uncomfortable space, whether it is raining and entering the main hall, or sitting alone in a dark space without a window and praying to God. However, the various expressions that appeared in the process of architecturally interpreting their beliefs gave people a good experience and provided an opportunity for the development of architecture.
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But what about religious architecture today? Religious architecture that imitates only the exterior, is obsessed with the 'form that seems to exist' and does not care about the internal experience. So, the LED cross that shines so brightly, the tiled roof on top of the strangely combined body of a general building, and even the coarse sheet paper attached without knowing why the stained glass was used in religious architecture. All of them focus on the appearance, not the user's experience, and are busy attaching things without knowing the intention and reason of the design. As a result, non-neutral buildings began to fill our surroundings, and as more and more such buildings grew, we had to ask the question of what the true religious architecture of our country should look like.
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Jesus Village, the Light of Life, introduced earlier: Chapel and Spirit Cube, Hayang Muhakro Church, Myeongnye Holy Land Cathedral, and Seosomun History Park clearly presented the answer to this question. Although the location, size, and purpose of use of the buildings are different, they all provided a great space and a good experience for those who visited to confirm and affirm their beliefs and to reflect on themselves. By resolving the relationship with the land they each face and asking constant questions about the spiritual space we must face today, they have shown us a form and experience that we have never seen before. Thanks to this, we, who are living in the present age, have been able to experience a space interpreted according to the times.
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The space to be introduced this time is also quite large among the religious buildings we have introduced so far, but there are traces of painstaking efforts to unravel their beliefs architecturally. The 'Namyang Shrine of Our Lady' was the site of the martyrdom where Catholics were executed during the Byeongin Persecution (1866). It is the 'Cathedral' where a pair of towers that are the farthest from such a place, but stand out the most, overwhelm the eye, and this is the space that I will introduce this time.
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It is already felt that the texture is different from the general religious buildings from the exterior. The blunt ends of the two towers that seem to pierce the sky seem to express the human desire to approach the gods rather than attack the gods. The tower plays a more important role within the chapel, turning direct sunlight into a soft light through the tower's long aisles. And the light illuminates the cross, making the stage with the cross a spiritual space and captivating the eyes. At the same time, it also acts as a passageway for wind, allowing air to circulate naturally through the large space without any mechanical devices, so it is like catching two rabbits at once.
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The large space was built with a single pillar-less parabolic roof and truss structure to give room for other purposes other than the chapel. And it creates a pattern and shines through it. So, even though it has a gym-shaped roof, the experience inside is completely different, so it's not worth comparing it to other buildings that only make it look like it's there. However, there is no furniture to fill the space inside for that purpose. It's a pity that plastic chairs that don't fit the space are filling the chapel. The small chapel located on the lower floor of the large space is a typical auditorium, but when the lights are turned off, a single ray of light illuminates the interior. Standing alone in an empty space, looking at the light and immersed in thought, each can attain enlightenment through their silence.
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how about Wouldn't this place be the right place to truly confirm one's beliefs and remain silent, rather than a building that was made with only the exterior decorated to attract believers, without any decorations added for no reason or a harmony of styles that do not match the common cross? Therefore, it will be a perfect space for those who come to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This is the 'Cathedral of Our Lady of Namyang'.
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#A space that gives you a good _experience
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112, Namyangseongji-ro, Namyang-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
Admission time: 9:30 - 11:00 (first-come-first-served basis)

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"How to make a small chilli spicy" part 2
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If you walk while your eyes are deprived of the pair of towers seen from the entrance to the Holy Mother of the Lady of Namyang, you can face the Chobongheonso. The entrance, the middle road of the cathedral, and the thing standing back so as not to obstruct pedestrians is small and compact for a building, reminiscent of a warehouse. However, if you ignore the appearance of the inside behind the glass and the experience in it, it will be a serious injury.
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The candles visible behind the transparent glass, and the landscape and the statue of Our Lady seen through the rectangular window behind them are enough to catch people going to the cathedral. Whether the day is good or bad, the inside of the votive house is cloudy and damp due to the bitter cold, the light of candles that break through the opaque curtain, the light reflected from the window, and the silhouette of the Virgin Mary tell us that this space needs no additional explanation. . People who offer candles and pray while looking at the statue of Our Lady melted into the landscape, and those who stop looking at them, naturally pick up a camera and take a picture. And curious about the inside experience, they go inside and enjoy the space too. Although the size of the building is small, the experience of space and the process are rich.
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Behind Chobongheonso is an observatory and substation. A substation exists on the ground for extremely functional reasons, but it is also a facility that is neglected as a facility that is not used by people. However, this suggests that the substation also serves as an observatory, allowing a functional building to be used as a public facility for people to use. The first floor of the building, placed on the hill, functions as a substation, and the roof above it functions as an observatory overlooking the Holy Land. From people taking pictures while looking at the votive house, walking endlessly looking at the tower, to people taking a break while sitting in disorganized chairs. From the observatory, you can see various people enjoying the Holy Mother of Our Lady of Namyang in various ways.
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Some people don't expect much from a small building, but just as people get confused by the spicy taste by underestimating the small chili pepper, the rich experience in this small space makes people unable to take their eyes off them. This is 'Namyang Holy Mother's Site Chobongheonso + Substation'.
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#A space that gives you a good _experience
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112, Namyangseongji-ro, Namyang-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do

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“Sew the wounds deep in the wounds”
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The deeper the wound is, the more the trace is engraved on the body. If you can't heal yourself and borrow the power of medicine, the traces remain more detailed and remind you of the pain of that time. This is the 'Korean Catholic Martyrs Museum' that I will introduce today.
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The peak along the Han River in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul is named 'Jamdu-bong' because it resembles the head of a silkworm. However, there is another name for this place, which is more familiar to us.
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'Joldusan Mountain'
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This mountain, which has a 'temple' to cut off and a 'du' for its head, was said to have had a deep wound that could not be healed in 1866, can you guess the origin of its name? This is a heartbreaking place where as many as 8,000 people were massacred as a martyr where Catholics were executed during the Byeongin Persecution.
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As much as the pain of history, Jamdubong itself has scratches and cuts here and there. Subway Line 2 connects Gangbyeonbuk-ro, which runs from east to west, and Hapjeong Station and Dangsan Station, which run from north to south. Two thick lines split and split the mountain, showing the scars of history and place.
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Just like the 'Namyang St. Mary's Shrine', 'Seosomun History Park' and 'Myeongrye Holy Land', which remembered the victims of the Byeongin persecution and turned the fatal site into a holy place, the 'Korea Catholic Martyrs Museum' also established Jeoldusan as a holy site for Catholic martyrdom. To this end, a monument to the holy martyrdom, a memorial, and an outdoor pilgrimage site were built and created. However, unlike the aforementioned space, there was a homework that had to be solved first.
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Before the design began, the top priority was to restore the Jeoldusan Mountain. The appearance of Jeoldusan Mountain was not good enough for a pilgrimage site, so the Gangbyeonbuk-ro area was underground so that citizens could easily access Jeoldusan Mountain. Then, thanks to the design of the memorial in a way that does not damage the topography as much as possible, the coolly stretched roof with beautiful curves covers the pain of the land and history.
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The accumulation of memories and material histories of places accumulated as time passes in the 'Korean Catholic Martyrs Museum' has made it a holy martyrdom in name and reality, with more than 300,000 martyrs visiting each year, but there are many parts to be repaired and repaired. The exhibition space is limited compared to the increasing number of exhibits, and various facilities and facilities are needed as they age. Now, it was time for a major repair work to the point where the time it had endured with small repairs was insignificant.
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The ceiling was able to be demolished thanks to the reorganization and relocation of the ceiling fixtures, which had taken up a large part of the existing space. Thanks to this, a floor height of over 5m was secured, and the exposed frame creates a rhythm and dynamically transforms a static space. Here, the skylight that subtly illuminates the interior meets with carbonized wood to breathe life into the exhibition space.
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The double-story exhibition bridge, which could be installed by securing the floor height, filled the insufficient exhibition space and was used as an object of space when the user was on the first floor and as a functional element to view the exhibition when on the second floor, further enhancing the space. make it rich
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Outside, the green trees and grass exude the green scent to their heart's content, while inside the memorial hall, it exudes the comfortable and old-fashioned scent of carbonized wood. Therefore, this is a space that captures the traces of time, heals deep wounds, shows us the scars, and reminds us of the pain of that time.
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This is the 'Korean Catholic Martyrs Museum'.
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#A space that gives you a good _experience
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6, Tojeong-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Daily 09:30 - 17:00 (Closed on Mondays)

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The primal purpose of a building was as a means to protect oneself; hence, space was used as a purely functional element. However, the narrative changes when space takes the form of religious architecture. Religious architecture is more about how architectural values are interpreted rather than serving a protective purpose. When viewed from a primitive standpoint, religious buildings could be considered non-functional, but the architectural expression derived from interpreting their beliefs offers people a diverse and enriching experience. 'The Light of Life: Chapel' encompasses light that touches the trees and illuminates the space, providing warmth and delivering emotions not typically felt in conventional buildings. In religious buildings, light represents divinity, dividing and embracing the space, sometimes serving as an object of teachings. The space introduced here effectively utilizes light. Its exterior is remarkably simple, embodying the fundamental structure of a cube. The thick lines breaking diagonally might seem decorative from the outside but serve a greater purpose, creating a cross by traversing the interior ceiling and wrapping the space. Unlike its square exterior, the interior finishes with wood offer a sense of stability, and the rounded trees inside make visitors feel as if they're receiving a ray of light in a cave. The interior acts as a spiritual space, inducing silence in oneself. The entrance designed for entering this space requires people to bow their heads, promoting humility. Despite its small scale compared to typical buildings, it leaves a strong impression on visitors. Here, light is not only a connector between the exterior and the interior but also a beam that illuminates the interior, representing god to the religious and encouraging introspection. This impactful space is known as the 'Spirit Cube Prayer Room'.

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"A Forest Within a Forest" - Nestled deep in the mountains and difficult to access by public transportation, this compound built for retired missionaries boasts an exterior that would not be out of place in downtown Seoul. However, stepping inside, one's thoughts shift dramatically. Like judging a book by its cover, buildings too shouldn't be assessed merely on their exterior. Buildings hold spaces, and these spaces are crucial for people's experiences, requiring careful consideration. This chapel, made up of 984 Russian pine trees, showcases the thoughtfulness in its design. The way these trees encircle the space, resembling an igloo, creates a mystical feeling. 600 trees hang from the ceiling, defying gravity and evoking a unique sense of awe as religious architecture. Unlike traditional chapels that emphasize the authority of the pastor, this round structure places a cross at its center, directing the focus towards it and away from the pastor's authority. The opaque polycarbonate material prevents the interior from being seen from the outside and blocks direct sunlight, casting a soft light that combines with the trees to add a mystical element to the interior. A giant wooden pillar stands beneath the centrally placed cross, making the chapel feel like a house built within a single tree. The four entrances, holes in the ceiling, and small round spaces symbolize the 12 disciples of Christianity. The religious mysticism, materials chosen to protect the interior and highlight the wood's features, and the way light and vertical trees create a serene light, all considerate of the chapel's location, make the space beautiful and cool. Not just the appearance, but the form, materials, location, and size of the space are the result of a problem-solving process, making it a truly great space. Experience this unchanged beauty through the seasons and discover 'A Forest Within a Forest.'

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A Church True to Its Essence. Churches have historically expressed their faith through architectural means, filling spaces and employing the finest construction techniques of their times, becoming the spaces that offered the best experience to the people. However, as the number of churches that only mimic the exterior without offering a comparable experience internally increases, it prompts a question of what the true essence of a church in our country should be. There exists a space that answers this question. This building, while a church, greatly differs from traditional notions of one. It's too sophisticated to be a warehouse yet too windowless to be a typical building, sparking curiosity. The building, modest and devoid of any decoration, offers a profound architectural experience. The entrance's water space and the ceiling-less corridor elevate the spirit beyond the mundane, encouraging humility and stripping away unnecessary emotions, further amplified by a thick iron door. The chapel's simplicity raises doubts, yet the light shining solely from the ceiling onto the cross leaves a lasting impression. The stairs to the rooftop, steeper than ordinary, demand attention and foster deeper concentration on their faith. Surrounded by high walls, the rooftop with a deep vertical slit reminiscent of a cross and brick-built seats allows for reflection, marking an end to the journey thus far. The partial representation of the cross, the small plaza in front of the building, and the outdoor chapel make it accessible for even non-religious people to enjoy and reflect. By focusing solely on the essentials, the church with a meager budget exemplifies how our country's churches should now view their buildings. This space is the "Hayang School-Church". #Space_That_Offers_A_Good_Experience

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"As rice stalks bow down as they mature"
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It means that the greater a person is, the more humble they behave.
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Such people elevate others while shining themselves.
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There is a Hanok building here, built in 1938, that has steadfastly held its place to this day.
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The building is an important structure that can see the architectural style of the Catholic Church, designed as a space for Catholics.
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Over time, as the building became too small, a new church had to be designed, and this church is what we introduce today as “Myeongrye Sacred Place”.
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The newly designed church could have prominently displayed itself on a hill, but this building did not.
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In respect of the building that has firmly guarded this place for 80 years, the new concrete structure is placed at a distance, only showing the roof of the building.
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Thanks to this, the new church does not dominate the place, nor does the existing church look dilapidated or humble.
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The building's first impression is like an observatory. On the stair plaza, steps that look like decorations without a railing, and a lawn spread out in front of it.
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However, there is an altar on the opposite side, which allows one to guess that this place is an outdoor mass area.
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The entrance to the building is hidden, and the way to enter inside by going down is used as a device for people who come here for pilgrimage to reflect on themselves.
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Down the way, you can see walls of different heights, accepting the terrain as it is.
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The building could have fully exposed itself and expressed much, but it did not choose that way.
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Architecture is similar to people; it’s not about the appearance but the space that is important, and it should harmonize with the surrounding buildings. A building that respects and considers the structure representing a place deserves praise.
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Like rice stalks bow as they mature, the humble building makes the surrounding area shine even more at “Myeongrye Sacred Place”.
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ps. This place is not for visiting the building but for self-reflection. Please understand we introduced the space and took photos for that purpose.
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#A_Space_That_Provides_A_Good_Experience
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44-1 Myeongnye-an-gil, Haman-eup, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

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As indicated by the name 'Seosomun Historical Park', there are no overpowering buildings at first glance, and only the 'Seosomun Martyrs' Monument' on one side of the park shows the historical sorrow of this place. A building with no windows and red brick walls arouses the curiosity of visitors, and the journey of this place unfolds starting from a downhill path. The method of entering the space through a downhill slope disconnects from the world, but the curvilinear brick wall leading to the entrance gives people a sense of familiarity and a positive impression. From the entrance, the sudden decrease in floor height, the long corridors, and these elements accentuate the cross-shaped structure, silencing people and reminding them of the painful history through the exhibits in between the corridors. Descending the stairs, you are met with a brightly lit exhibition space under a tunnel-shaped ceiling, which seems to embrace and comfort the painful history of this place. The emotions one feels while experiencing this place culminate in the 'consolation hall'. The roof of the consolation hall is floating, and its floating height is low, connecting the outside and inside while also separating them. Emotions are maximized through a video from inside, and the dark and black space helps focus on one's thoughts and calm oneself. The rays of light extending from this place guide people through the 'Sky Plaza', entering a space completely different from the dark past, with high walls overwhelming the visitors. The absence of a ceiling and the ensured field of view seem to provide a sense of relief from the sad emotions in the Sky Plaza. The maximized emotions in the consolation hall come to an end here, and the story ends as one follows the corridor on one side of the wall to the ground. The consolation hall and the Sky Plaza are contrasting but are the most important spaces, overwhelming the visitors in different ways and maximizing the space for remembrance. It reminds and soothes of the painful history, allowing for mourning, but all these processes are left for the visitors to undertake themselves, meaning the architect's intervention is quite restrained. The method of letting light into the basement, the detail of the materials that make up the space, and the natural flow of space are of high quality, and after 8 years of 'maturation', we are able to experience this space. I am merely grateful that such a space has been created in Seoul, and in our country, and I hope many people, regardless of religious reasons, would indeed experience this place.

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I prefer entering buildings on foot over bus, and by bus over subway to fully experience a space. This action briefly acquaints one with the neighborhood's atmosphere, and the wind, light, and day's weather, preparing one's mindset to welcome the space. Even outside the architect's discretion, this is an essential factor in experiencing the building. Fortunately, external factors outside the architect's discretion positively impact the experience at this space. Walking up a gentle slope from the bus stop, one encounters restaurants, cafes, and houses, but these fade as one nears the building, distancing oneself from the worldly. Knowing this place commemorates 'Monk Tanheo,' this distancing feels like a departure from the secular. The entrance illuminates this feeling with 108 oxidized iron pillars symbolizing 108 steps and colored lanterns creating ambiguous internal and external boundaries, enhancing the experience. Without prior outside experiences, the entrance effect would diminish. Removing shoes upon entry extends this preparatory experience. The approach and entrance prepare visitors mentally, focusing them more on the inside experience. This site honors Monk Tanheo, a leading scholar-monk in Korean Buddhism, blending Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. 'Grand Master' is the highest religious order in Taego, indicating the specialness of entering a space dedicated to 'Grand Master Tanheo.' The interior, whilst not needing explicit description, quickly reveals its charisma, attributed to the earlier spatial flow. Readers are encouraged to experience entering the building from the bus stop. This place is the 'Tanheo Memorial Buddhist Museum'.

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Initially, churches were spaces where not only the religious but also the general public could easily visit, used for self-reflection and self-improvement. However, today's churches, which often imitate only their exteriors with red LEDs and stained glass window films, have lost their architectural religious significance, leaving no reason for people seeking a space for self-focus to visit. Kyungdong Church lacks a cross and is free from tacky stained glass window films. Its first floor, with just a few doors and windows, lacks noticeable openings, offering no pretense of being a church. The small yard in front of the building, surrounded by walls, alleviates the fear of being watched, encouraging even the general public to step inside. Once inside, visitors can appreciate the wide steps and mosaic tiles on the walls. The church's entrance reveals a symmetric building design, which begins to feel imposing. Before entering the sacred space, it's as if you're advised to tidy up. Inside, the finish differs from the brick exterior, maximizing grandeur with exposed concrete. The structure combines columns and beams in an organic shape, offering rhythm to the space. The asymmetric cross and organ at the end provide a different feel, focusing attention on the cross, where light enters only through small and large openings above, allowing worshippers and visitors to reflect and reassess themselves and their faith. In the residential area one block away from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park intersection, the open space of the church offers a breather from the incessant buildings and the bustling vibe of DDP, reducing the burden on residents and offering a tranquil space focusing on essence. Kyungdong Church, situated in a dynamic city, exceeds the expectations of a religious building, offering comfort and rejuvenation to both worshippers and the general public.