Design Characteristics of a Korean Hospital
Jeeyeon Park
Assistant Professor, Baekseok University
Soonhee Park
Project Manager, Samoo Architects & Engineers
Design Characteristics of a Korean Hospital: JNU Hospital Project
Korea enjoyed a perod of exceptional growth in the hospital sector as demand increased for medical treatment in the 1980s and has since undergone change in the level of competition in the 1990s. The development of ‘well-being’ as a cultural driver is reflected in the augmentation of national income and elevation of standard of living in the current decade, supporting a concept concerned with a more comfortable and qualitative service.
The architectural design of JNU (Jeju National University) hospital was chosen through a competition which requested applicants to reflect the local identity of Jeju Island, and to create an architectural appearance, rather than hide the spectacle of Mt Halla located in the heart of Jeju Island. Elected design was made following the design blueprint from 2003 to 2004. During this period two centers were added and layout of space was changed on the whole. JNU hospital began construction in 2005 and was completed in 2008.
We examine architectural design features in Korea, considering local characteristics and socio-cultural trends through the case study of the JNU hospital design project. The purpose of this study is to investigate the trends in architectural design of current Korean hospitals from the viewpoint of local identity and the realisation of social function.
Significantly, the case study method adopted follows the real steps from the schematic design to final design. The expected results of this study are as follows. First, we show how the local characteristic of Jeju Island is reflected in the design of hospital architecture. We also show how it is related to the general trend of the latest design. For example, the layout of a ward in the hospital reflects the way the Jeju traditional private house is divided around a yard. Second, our research demonstrates how the hospital function has changed and the required facilities that have resulted.
For instance, the JNU hospital was requested to set up cancer center and emergency center in response to the development of a welfare policy. This study focuses on the analysis of a building which is scheduled for completion. More drawings, images, and pictures in each design process will be included in the final paper together with deeper research results and conclusions.
Keywords: hospital design, design characteristics, architectural project, local identity
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