The 9th Yeongdeungpo-gu Architecture Culture Festival runs from Monday through Oct. 23 at the district office and Dangsan Park, featuring exhibitions, a film festival and more under the theme "Yeongdeungpo, Drawing Tomorrow Through Architecture."
Yeongdeungpo-gu will hold the 9th Yeongdeungpo-gu Architecture Culture Festival from Monday through Oct. 23 at the first-floor lobby of the district office's main building and the surrounding Dangsan Park area.
The district organized the event in partnership with the Yeongdeungpo-gu Architects Association, using exhibitions and cultural programs to spread the idea that architecture is not merely a technical discipline but an art form and a cultural expression.
The festival is packed with programs designed to help residents engage with architecture in an accessible and enjoyable way, including an art and photography exhibition, an architecture film festival and one-on-one architectural consultations. The opening ceremony will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. on a specially erected stage at Dangsan Park in front of the district office's main building, marking the start of five days of varied programming.
Throughout the festival, the first-floor lobby of the main building will display notable public architecture from across Yeongdeungpo-gu alongside award-winning works and painting sketches by members of the Yeongdeungpo-gu Architects Association. The district will also present an exhibition of prize-winning entries from a photo competition held under the theme "Yeongdeungpo, Drawing Tomorrow." Visitors can view images submitted by Seoul residents capturing the district's past and present — from nostalgic alleyway scenes to distinctive architectural landmarks.
In addition, the Yeongdeungpo Architecture Film Festival will explore the meaning of life and space through the lens of architecture. The lineup features four documentary films, led by the opening work "Geoffrey Bawa: Genius of Place," which captures the harmony between nature and architecture in his jungle palace designs, followed by three films spotlighting Yeongdeungpo's architectural heritage: "Daesin Mansion," "House of the Sun (Sun Plaza)" and "Yeouido Model Apartment."
An "Open Cafe" will also operate during screenings, offering free coffee to film audiences.
Beyond the screenings, licensed architects will staff a one-on-one consultation booth to advise residents on matters such as legalizing unauthorized structures and navigating building permits. Community service activities — including a home-repair volunteer program and a free meal service — are also planned alongside the main events.
A Yeongdeungpo-gu official said the district hopes the festival will give residents a relaxed opportunity to appreciate the appeal of architecture and photography in their everyday lives, adding that organizers will do their best to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for all visitors.
Kim Dong-hyun, chairman of the Yeongdeungpo-gu Architects Association and co-organizer of the event, said the festival goes beyond a simple exhibition to create a space for dialogue between architects and citizens and for sharing the culture and values of the community. "Drawing on our expertise as architects, we will continue to contribute to the local community and build an architects' association that truly works alongside its citizens," he added.
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