Former military bunker restored as place of peace
A tank covered with a colorful blanket stands in front of Peace Culture Bunker in northeastern Seoul. / Courtesy of Hallie Bradley
By Hallie Bradley
For more than half a century, the Demilitarized Zone in Korea has been the site of clashes, skirmishes and tension. However, a new age is dawning on the Land of the Morning Calm and sites that were once used as bunkers and military installations are being converted into community, arts and culture spaces given back to the community at large. Sites that had previously been surrounded by barbed wire are seeing a transformation as the metal fencing is taken down and architects and artists come in to breathe new life into decaying structures.
Citizens are able to walk in and use spaces that have been off limits for decades and with that, new communities are developing.
Last October, the
was unveiled just outside of Dobongsan Station on Seoul Metro lines 1 and 7. Originally constructed between 1968 and 1970, the structure was a defensive shelter for tanks on the first floor and featured housing on the second.
The third and fourth floors were meant to disguise and conceal the weapons within. Covertly named “Simin Apartment,” there were five buildings with three residential floors and each floor had six units. It was originally planned as a military housing complex to enable quick mobilization in the event of conflict.
Over time and due to natural wear and tear, the top floors were destroyed and in 2004 were removed altogether. With just the first floor remaining, discussions began to determine what should be done with the rest of the military facility.
Eventually in 2009 it was decided that the bunkers should be transformed into a community space to fit in with the newly built parks to the north and south.
CoRe Architects took the helm and connected the five units previously used to house the tanks via an internal corridor and used steel and timber beams to create indoor spaces and courtyards in a visually appealing manner.
The indoor spaces feature the amenities citizens need for working, meeting and for holding exhibitions while the outdoor courtyards showcase exposed cement beams and old staircases. There are now three shared workshop spaces that allow for and promote collaboration.
There is a multipurpose space for small lectures and performances and a community room for co-working and meetings.
Walk through the inner corridor and there is a photography exhibition space. Visitors can sit in various areas of the complex and are welcome to enter the indoor spaces to view various performances and exhibitions.
Those wishing to use this unique space can apply via their website to become a part of this growing collaborative community.
The rooftop of the structure now has a 250-meter pedestrian walkway that connects all of the buildings and leads from the subway station to an observation area.
An observatory was added at the eastern end of the complex and gives indoor and outdoor views of the entire structure as well as the nearby Dobongsan Station and Seoul Iris Garden.
Visit in May or June and you can see the new community space and enjoy a field featuring over 130 species of irises just next door. Stand at the western end of the rooftop walkway and watch as trains pull into the station. The structure is meant to be walked in, around and on top of. The new community space has already hosted various outdoor markets, artistic installations and classes and will continue to provide events throughout the years to come.