Aging 36-year-old building to be replaced with integrated administration, culture and welfare facility; design recognized through public vote in public buildings category
The design proposal for the new Muk 1-dong complex civic center, a project being pursued by Jungnang-gu (district mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi), has won the excellence award in the public buildings category at the 2025 Seoul Metropolitan Government Architecture Committee Design Awards.
The existing Muk 1-dong community service center has stood for 37 years, and its aging facilities have struggled to meet residents' growing needs for administrative, cultural and welfare services. In response, Jungnang-gu drew up a plan in 2021 to build a new complex civic center and has been advancing the project since. The district selected Jaungyeong Architects through a design competition in April 2025, and design work has been under way since June of that year.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government holds the Architecture Committee Design Awards annually, selecting outstanding architectural designs from among projects reviewed by its architecture committee. The Muk 1-dong complex civic center design was chosen for the public buildings excellence award through a public vote and has been included in this year's published collection of award-winning designs.
The design concept is "an urban living room woven from four courtyards." Reflecting the complex nature of a facility that brings together a community service center, a public health clinic, a lifestyle and culture center, and a library, the plan ensures each function retains its own distinct space while connecting them organically — creating an open community environment where residents can linger and interact freely.
Once completed, the Muk 1-dong complex civic center will house the community service center, public health clinic, lifestyle and culture center, and library under one roof, serving as a community hub that integrates administrative, welfare and cultural services for the neighborhood.
"This award recognizes the Muk 1-dong complex civic center as a resident-centered public building with outstanding design and spatial value," Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu said. "We will continue working to create dignified public facilities that residents can use with ease and comfort."
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