University of Seoul professor emeritus explores Korean architecture at Harvard symposium

Kim Sung-hong, a distinguished professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Seoul, captivated audiences at the 2026 Korea Architecture Symposium held at Harvard University last month. The symposium, organized by the Korean student organization KoreaGSD at Harvard's Graduate School of Design, focused on the theme " +82+82: From Independence to Acceleration."

This theme sought to investigate how Korean society has embraced, experimented with, and evolved architectural and urban institutions and forms over the past eight decades, using speed as a guiding principle.

Kim's keynote address, titled "Contextualizing Korean Architecture," delved into contemporary Korean architecture within its historical and social context. He emphasized how rapid social change has profoundly impacted the nation's urban and architectural landscape. Drawing upon his book "Seoul Urban Architecture," Kim provided a comprehensive analysis of the country's architectural evolution, highlighting the transformative power of speed and the intricate relationship between society and design.

The symposium brought together a diverse group of theorists, architects, and researchers from both Korea and abroad, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives on the future of Korean architecture and its potential for continued transformation.