The complexity of Gwanghwamun Plaza can be understood through unraveling the underlying genes embedded in its history. The site has undergone different phases of historical eras, each with very particular social and economical backgrounds.
Feng-Shui or Geomancy has profoundly influenced the orientation
when the palace was built. Even though the city developed over time deviated from the original axis, the orientation of Gwanghwamun remains consistent and forms an intriguing relationship with the city axis.
Sejongdaero was the widest road in the city, and spatially as a symbol of absolute power and governance where common citizens may feel separated from. The width and its axial dominance signifies its importance to the people, the city and the nation.
Today's Gwanghwamun Plaza celebrates "public engagement" where people are free to congregate and make their voices heard. Nowadays people actively participate in political, social and all kinds of events, and the plaza has becoming an iconic destination that celebrates modern democracy and freedom of choice. While fulfilling modern-day functions of today's Gwanghwamun Plaza, the historical aspects of this site's specificity must also be memorized and respected.
Lead Architects: Stanley Chuang, Darcy Chang
Project Team: Nicky Ni, Sam Sun, Jinwen Shanguan, Yijun Chen