Kim Swoo-geun

Kim Swoo Geun (; February 20, 1931 – June 14, 1986) was a prominent South Korean architect, educator, publisher and patron of artists. With his support for diverse art genres of Korean culture, he was referred to as Lorenzo de Medici of Seoul by TIME in 1977.

Biography Kim Swoo Geun was born the first son of Kim Yong-hwan and Kim Usudal in Sinap-dong , Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province.

After his graduation from the school in 1950 and Kim entered Seoul National University, majoring in architecture. In 1952, during the Korean War, he withdrew from the school and went abroad to Japan where he studied modern architecture at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. During his study at this school, he interned at Hirada Matsuda (松田平田)'s architectural firm. In 1960 he received a master's degree in architecture from Tokyo University where he finished his doctoral course as well.

In 1959, he won the competition for the National Assembly Building of South Korea, but his proposal was not realized due to the political situation at that time. In 1960, he returned to his country with his Japanese wife Michiko Yajima (矢島道子). He would eventually father three children with her. In 1961 he founded his architectural firm, "Kim Swoo Geun Planning and Design" , the predecessor of the current SPACE group. At the same time, he also began to teach at the architecture department of Hongik University.

Recognition According to Park Gil-ryong, a professor of Kukmin University, Kim was the first in South Korea to proclaim that architecture has to have its own concept and philosophy. The architect Min Hyun Sik said Kim Swoo Geun lived with the consciousness of how to effectively convey and adapt Korean tradition into contemporary architecture. It was his grand obsession. His achievement as an educator was in mentoring Kim Won, Ryu Chun-su, Min Hyun Sik, Lee Jong-ho, Seung Hyo-sang into being prominent architects, regarded as significant as well.

Selected works 1963 Freedom Center in Jangchung-dong, Jung District, Seoul 1967 Buyeo National Museum in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province 1967 Seun Sangga, Jongno District, Seoul 1969 Tower Hotel in Jangchung-dong, Jung District, Seoul 1970 Korea Exhibition Pavilion at Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan 1971 SPACE Group Building in Wonseo-dong, Jongno District, Seoul 1977 Seoul Olympic Stadium, in Jamsil, Songpa District, Seoul 1979 Cheongju National Museum, in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province 1979 Munye Center and Fine Arts Center (종합문예회관, currently Arko Arts Museum) in Marronnier Park, Jongno District 1979 Yangdeok Catholic Church in Masan, South Gyeongsang Province 1980 Kyungdong Presbyterian Church in Jangchung-dong, Jung District, Seoul 1983 Embassy building of the United States in Seoul on Sejongno in Jongno District, Seoul 1984 National Science Museum, South Korea in Yuseong District, Daejeon 1985 Bulgwang-dong Catholic Church in Bulgwang-dong, Eunpyeong District, Seoul

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Honors 1970 Civil Merit Medal, South Korea (국민포장 國民褒章) 1979 Commendatore dell' Ordine della Stella della Solidariet' Italiana 1984 Iron Tower, Order of Industrial Service Merit, South Korea (철탑산업훈장 鐵塔産業勳章) 1986 Silver Tower, Order of Industrial Service Merit, South Korea (은탑산업훈장 銀塔産業勳章)