14 finalists; total prize pool of 25 million won

Park Kyung-min of Hongik University wins grand prize

Park Kyung-min of Hongik University, grand prize winner of the 6th Shinyoung Cultural Foundation Architecture Culture Award. [Shinyoung]
Park Kyung-min of Hongik University, grand prize winner of the 6th Shinyoung Cultural Foundation Architecture Culture Award. [Shinyoung]

The Shinyoung Cultural Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Shinyoung Group, held the 6th Shinyoung Cultural Foundation Architecture Culture Award to identify emerging talent in architecture. This year's competition drew 184 graduation projects from universities across the country, with Park Kyung-min of Hongik University's architecture department taking the grand prize.

The foundation announced Friday that it held the final round of judging and an awards ceremony Wednesday at Somerset Palace Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Launched in 2021, the Architecture Culture Award evaluates graduation projects — or works by students expecting to graduate — from university architecture departments, considering only those recommended by department heads.

This year, up to 10 works per department were accepted during a submission window from Sept. 9 to Sept. 17. A preliminary written review in October assessed project descriptions, blueprints and model photographs, narrowing the field to 14 finalists. The judging process used a blind format in which applicants' school affiliations, faculty advisers and other identifying information were withheld from judges.

In the final round, each participant presented their work for 10 minutes, followed by a question-and-answer session with the judges. All 14 finalists received awards.

The grand prize went to Park's work "NULLPLACE," which used digital mapping and AI to explore the architectural possibilities of digital space taking precedence over physical space. Judges praised the project for the freshness and innovation of its concept.

The excellence award went to Kim Yu-kyung of Kyung Hee University's architecture department for "Amphibious Strata: Coexistence of Blurred Boundaries." The merit award went to Jeong Tae-yu of the Korea National University of Arts' architecture department for "What We Know Yet Don't Know." Three works received encouragement awards and eight received honorable mentions.

Prize money totaling 25 million won ($18,800) will be distributed among the winners — 10 million won for the grand prize and 5 million won for the excellence award, among others. All finalists will also receive mentoring sessions from the judges.

Jo Nam-ho, principal of Solto Jibin Architects, served as chief judge. Lee Jeong-hun, principal of Joho Architecture, Choi Hye-jeong, a professor at Kookmin University's College of Architecture, and Yang Su-in, principal of Ssamgit Architects, also participated in the judging.

"It was gratifying to see architecture expanding its role beyond beauty into active, forward-looking planning for the future," Jo said. "With the passion and capability on display, I am confident these students can navigate the real-world challenges ahead."

The Shinyoung Cultural Foundation is a nonprofit established by Shinyoung Group to support creative work by artists and architects. At last year's 5th Shinyoung Cultural Foundation Architecture Culture Award, 12 works were selected for prizes out of 185 entries.


shy@heraldcorp.com