The Yeongjongdo Onnuri Church, nestled on a burgeoning island near Seoul, South Korea, emerges as a radiant emblem of groundbreaking design and sustainable architecture. Conceived by the visionary minds at Shinslab Architecture, this remarkable religious edifice seamlessly integrates the symbolic essence of Noah's Ark with the pragmatic application of upcycling dismantled ship hulls. The outcome is not merely an architectural marvel but a profound statement advocating for scale, ready-made elements, and sustainable reuse.
A Visionary Mission
Inspired by the enlightening discourse of the 2016 Young Architect Program held at MMCA Seoul, Shinslab Architecture embarked on a mission to harness the untapped potential of end-of-life ships. Their objective is to challenge the norms of conventional construction practices and champion a more ecologically conscious approach. Through meticulous craftsmanship, fragmented sections of recycled ship hulls were ingeniously repurposed, breathing newfound vitality into steel components once destined for the scrapyard.
(Photo: Kim Yongkwan)
Elevating Discarded Materials
Drawing poignant parallels to the avant-garde movements of yesteryears, notably Marcel Duchamp's revolutionary concept of "Readymades," the project transcends mere architectural innovation. Just as Duchamp redefined the boundaries of art by transforming mundane objects into profound statements, Shinslab architecture elevates discarded ship parts into symbols of both beauty and sustainability. The church's fragmented design, echoing the ship's deconstruction process, strategically carves out open spaces conducive to religious activities, merging form with function in a harmonious symphony of design.
Although the Yeongjongdo Onnuri Church's recycling process is an important endeavor, the creative transformation represented by this project goes far beyond that; this project illustrates the transformational capacity of creativity. Each weathered steel segment carries with it a particular "air," which is as aged and not fabricated as it is based on the story of the building's aesthetics, adding a poetic overtone to the structure. Through the close coordination and involvement of the client, the design team was able to fully grasp the meaning of the " Up-cycling principle" and create a brilliant design that stands out by itself and, at the same time, serves as a first-rate example of sustainability, humanizing eco-oriented urban architecture.
Symbolism and Sustainable Design
The Yeongjongdo Onnuri Church, similarly to Le Corbusier, who once said an "monument resembles an ocean liner", has a very high symbolism and the sustainable design is a contemporary tribute. This is achieved by the consistent diversion of form industries' materials and the application of "the power of design" to create ecologically judicious designs that herald a novel, greener era for construction worldwide.
Indeed, the inner soul of this church of Yeongjongdo lies in its role as a source of worship and its sacred entity, which goes beyond that point in time. Through a thoughtful combination of materials, shape, and functionality, Shinslab Architecture has created a unique landmark that inspires awe and a sense of reverence for the planet and humanity's role as a steward, making the world safe and habitable for future generations.
