For centuries, opera houses have stood as monuments to high culture — grand stages where art, wealth and prestige converge. But for architect Kjetil Traedal Thorsen, the opera houses of the 21st century should be as much a part of everyday civic life as they are destinations for the arts. Thorsen is the co-founder of Snohetta, the Norwegian contemporary architecture firm behind an opera house that opened in Shanghai last week and another scheduled to open in Busan in 2028. It also designed the N

It was a proverbial scene of calm before the storm: Two students were playing basketball in the corner of a large dirt playing field while a group of students sat on the steps of the steep stands, taking shelter from the blazing heat of the September afternoon in the shadow of a thick canopy of trees. All of that will change this month when the New Hongik Project, a 441 billion won ($324.5 million) expansion of Hongik University's Seoul campus, breaks ground on Oct. 14. The project, which measur

Why, in a country celebrated for the global reach of its music, cinema and technology, does architecture seem to lag behind? “Look at the qualitative level of Korea’s dance, music, film, graphic arts, science and technology, it is remarkable,” French architect Dominique Perrault said. “Why is architecture not at that same level?” “Perhaps it is because there is not enough affection for the nation and its heritage.” The question came during the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk, where the world

The 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk in Seoul explored changing perceptions of public architecture and public space, as well as where they should be heading in both Korea and France. The fourth edition of the Korea Herald Architecture Talk concluded Tuesday at the Ewha Campus Complex, drawing more than 400 attendees. French architect and keynote speaker Dominique Perrault had designed the iconic venue. Marking the 140th anniversary of South Korea-France diplomatic ties, the annual architectur

French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux hailed the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk on Tuesday as a crucial platform for dialogue, emphasizing its special significance as it coincides with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, as well as the founding of Ewha Womans University. The ambassador noted that the event, held under the theme “Architecture Beyond Borders -- Dialogue with Dominique Perrault,” further elevated the bilateral partnership, recently strengthened

Hundreds turned out for the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk headlined by renowned French architect Dominique Perrault. For many in attendance, the event prompted a reconsideration of how architecture is conceived and practiced. Held to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and France, the fourth edition of the annual forum was organized under the theme “Architecture Beyond Borders — Dialogue with Dominique Perrault.” The program spotlighted cross-cultural exchange

Ewha Womans University President Lee Hyang-sook on Tuesday emphasized the role of architecture in bridging past and future, as she welcomed participants to the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk held at the university’s Ewha Campus Complex. Marking both Ewha’s 140th anniversary and the 140 years of diplomatic ties between Korea and France, Lee described the forum as “timely and meaningful,” bringing together global architectural perspectives including keynote speaker French architect and urbani

Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young on Tuesday emphasized architecture’s power to connect people and shape shared futures, as he opened the 2026 Korea Herald Architecture Talk at Ewha Womans University’s Ewha Campus Complex in Seoul. Introducing keynote speaker Dominique Perrault, a French architect and urbanist, Choi added that Perrault "connects the world" through architecture. "Perrault’s architecture is more than just a physical building," said Choi. "Like Ewha’s ECC, it is a form of art a

In her congratulatory speech at the Korea Herald Architecture Talk on Tuesday, Deputy Culture Minister Jung Hyang-mi emphasized that the gathering, marked a luminous chapter in the history of bilateral exchanges between South Korea and France. The deputy minister for culture and arts policy praised the forum’s venue, Ewha Campus Complex at Ewha Womans University, a building designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, for its innovative concept: Sinking into the ground to embrace light, natu

Architect and urban planner Dominique Perrault is widely known for redefining public space with the concept of "groundscape." Perrault came to international recognition in 1989 at the age of 36 after winning the competition for the National Library of France in Paris, a landmark project that exemplifies his approach to spatial concepts. Rather than asserting a monumental presence, the building’s iconic design emphasizes voids, horizontality and the integration of the landscape, allowing architec