Seoul Church

Integrating sanctuary and landscape.

Seoul, South Korea.

Having outgrown its sanctuary in Kangnam, an urban district in Seoul, the congregation acquired land on the outskirts of Seoul. Our concept was to make a break in the continuously expanding urban fabric by integrating the sanctuary with the sloping site. A sunken courtyard mirrors the bowl of the auditorium, and is framed by a wide gently sloping entry ramp. Playfully making use of the fish-like figure, openings in the church become flaps and gills.