Korea University (KU) is famous for its beautiful landscapes and nature which have long been a source of pride for the university’s community. The welloriented and peaceful atmosphere of the campus provides students, faculty, and visitors of KU with a familiar yet new experience every season. The stunning scenery of the campus is maintained under the skilled hands of Kim San-ha (’10, Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering), in which he uses his deep understanding of the importance of creating a healthy environment to carefully cultivate the greenery and natural spaces on campus.
About Kim San-ha
Kim’s love for nature runs deep, and it has been a driving force in his career choices. After graduating from KU, Kim took a job as a landscaping management member for an apartment construction company. However, when he learned that a position as a KU gatekeeper was available back at his alma mater, he ran for the opportunity to return to KU. Currently, he is a landscaping management member, and is in charge of maintaining and repairing old buildings, constructing new decks, and managing natural spaces, such as the pine trees near the main gate.
GT: What made you major in Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering?
Kim: Landscaping is the only field that directly deals with living organisms in creating the spaces where we live. It involves creating resting areas with various facilities such as pergolas and benches, as well as linear spaces that can be enjoyed by walking, using trees and pathways. The allure of being able to create endless variations of character and space using various materials and arrangements had a significant impact on my choice of major.
GT: How was your experience working in a construction company?
Kim: After learning design and construction theory at university, I was able to experience all the processes that occur on the job site working at a construction company. As a landscaping contractor, I was able to learn about aspects not shown in the design drawings, such as planting trees based on the construction timeline, setting up different work schedules according to different types of construction, collaborating with various types of construction, and determining the number of personnel and equipment required for actual work looking at the size of the project. However, in my experience, I observed that the actual construction site always differed from the drawings and the plan; in such cases, the capabilities of the supervisor on site would be crucial since they need to make quick changes to the plan, which would determine the outcome and quality of the construction. These lessons which I took away from working in a construction company have become valuable assets that I never could have learned without my experience in the construction industry.
GT: Many students seem to enjoy KU’s overall landscape and nature. Why do you think it is so important to maintain a pleasant campus environment?
Kim: The campus landscape is an asset that has grown alongside the university’s long history. Small trees planted during the early days have grown into large groves, becoming symbolic features of the KU campus over the course of several decades or even longer. Every year, new students take breaks on the benches used by their seniors in the past. As such, the campus landscape changes along with the growth of living organisms, but it also changes under the hands of people. I believe that we should pass on the beauty of the KU campus, which is imbued with its history, to future generations by continuously modifying it and making it better and better each year.
GT: What is a memorable project you have conducted in KU?
Kim: As the school has a long history, many of its resting areas have become outdated and worn out over time. To address this issue, the school plans and executes renovation projects every year to maintain the character of the space while making it more comfortable for users. Various projects have already been carried out, such as the construction of a deck space in front of the natural science building, the development of a resting area in the Central Plaza of the Liberal Arts and Humanities Campus, and the installation of greenery on the rooftop of the Uncho-Useoun Hall. There will be more projects in the future to create a safe and comfortable resting environment for users.
GT: Are there any additional plans or designs you would like to implement on KU’s campus in the future?
Kim: Currently, our focus is on the healthy growth of trees, as well as the repair and creation of aging facilities and spaces on the campus. Through ongoing construction, we aim to make the campus more comfortable to use while also creating new spaces that harmonize with the existing campus environment, making it a place where people can enjoy walking. As for any plans or designs we would like to implement on the campus, we do not have any specific plans at the moment.
GT: What would you like to say to students who want to follow your path and desire contributing towards this kind of architecture?
Kim: Landscape architecture can be subdivided into various fields such as landscape planting, landscape facilities, rest facilities, and pavement; each field can be subdivided according to the design, construction, and maintenance stages. Although it is necessary to learn about all these fields, taking the time to think about which field is most interesting to you and developing your own strengths in that field can be helpful.
For instance, in the case of landscape trees, it is important not only to transplant high-quality trees, but also to maintain them properly, as the value of the trees can either increase or decrease depending on how they are maintained. Similarly, facilities can deteriorate over time, with fading colors and damage. I would like to emphasize that creative design and its implementation are essential, but maintenance after construction is also crucial in preserving and enhancing the value of a space for a long time.