Park majored Architectural Engineering and graduated from KU in 1982. After studying in Germany at Dortmund University, he returned to Korea and performed his artistic flair in various work venues, ranging from the Hyundai Architects & Engineer Associates Company to the Dongyang Structural Engineers Group Company. Park is renowned for his first attempt to merge structure and design, which were considered as two different fields of study at that time. His works are widely acknowledged and, along with his series of achievements, Park is also the author of numerous essays and theses, including “Building Construction Essays” and “Roof Structure System.”

 

 

The interview with Park was first held in the dean’s office. The office was a large, open room that had a fair view of the forest embracing KNUA. Beside one wall, architecture models of buildings and books were neatly organized, which seemed to present a glimpse of Park’s artistic sensitivity. Overall, unlike the busy streets of Anam, the office and the surrounding campus were drenched in gentle tranquility. Here, Park gave a brief narrative of his school life in KU.

 

Ever since he was a KU student, Park was fond of playing basketball with his friends. “There was a group called ‘Tiger Family’ where families and friends of KU would play basketball together,” said Park. Although the group gradually disbanded after he returned from Germany, Park’s passionate affection toward the KU basketball team still continues. He is now its main patron, watching and cheering every game together, including the Annual Ko-Yon Games. Holding up the red uniform signed by Lee Seung-Hyun (’11, Physical Education), the current player of Goyang Orions, Park replied that he planned to watch another game of the KU basketball team after the interview.

 

Not only basketball, but Park also had a profound interest in the field of structural engineering in his school days, leading to his in-depth research in that area in graduate school. Although Park’s major was related to larger spatial structures, such as gymnasiums, his interest quickly expanded to bridges or pedestrian overpasses which could be personally designed and constructed without associating with large engineering companies.

 

After discussing his past years, Park introduced his professor’s office a floor below. The door was open, and students were discussing their projects. The four walls were completely surrounded with Park’s models of bridges and buildings along with students’ works as well. These models were delicately constructed, and there were magnified versions of particular sections of buildings, illustrating the meticulous characteristic of architecture.

 

The series of models not only presented an acute subtlety, but they also explicitly demonstrated the artistic philosophy of Park. He commented that “Every architectural structure should be interpreted as the flow of energy.” The displayed works of art designed by Park himself deducted any kind of peripheral, meaningless decorations; every part of the structure maintained and carried dynamism, and this gave the constructions a sense of uncluttered, natural artistry and guaranteed stability at the same time.

 

 

According to Park, not only the design itself, but also the surroundings are important when constructing buildings. “For instance, while designing bridges, the architect should also keep in mind the flow and the shape of the river as well, and try to convey the aesthetics of nature in the work,” explained Park. The models and pictures of his work in the office indeed varied in shapes and sizes according to the environment; especially, his usage of wire cables was extraordinary, as the masterful arrangement of lines endowed miscellaneous sophistication in each design.

 

Most importantly, Park also revealed a fondness toward his students. Between various models, there were pictures of his former students, and Park remembered every detailed story related to the photographs. “Our department pursues an apprentice education and accepts only 20 students a year,” said Park. He smiled and continued, “I can still remember every name of the students I thought in these past years,” expressing his intimate relationship with his students. “As for all of my students, they know my door is always open,” added Park.

 

The workroom, filled with models that students have personally crafted, including container boxes KU students have designed while he was a visiting professor of KU until 2011, explicitly represented Park’s education principles that touched the importance of practical training. To students who were interested in building construction, Park gave some advice. “Most people think structural engineering is entirely related to tackling mathematical digits, but this isn’t true,” said Park. He added, “What is more important is that you need to fuse structure and design and study them together, so that you are able to visually characterize what you want to build.” For Park, architecture is more than accurate calculation; it is about reaching and merging aesthetic designs, realized through continuous practical trainings.

 

Park is currently teaching building construction to KNUA students and has written a book presently at the proofreading phase, which contains his philosophy on his life’s works. Surrounded by the gentle, placid breeze of summer trees, Park is now at the summit of his accomplishments, passing down his knowledge and experiences of architectural aesthetics to future architects who are treading the same paths that he had once walked.