soyoun kim aims for a peaceful future in korea with 25 pavilions along the buffer zone

straddling the joint security area between north and south korea is a tiny neutral area that both sides currently share. the blue panmunjom pavilions standing here are an iconic symbol of the truce that was signed in 1953. with the ‘blue neutralized zone’ project, soyoun kim envisages extending the shared, neutral area with a total of 25 such pavilions dotted along the entire 250 km border. these would help to redefine the relationship between the two nations of the korean peninsula as a harmonious co-existence, possibly even paving the way for unity.

original panmunjom — the only neutral space that both koreas share

dutch based korean designer soyoun kim‘s proposed pavilions would collage two different cultures, reinterpret heritages of both nations and transform the symbols of conflict, such as infiltration tunnels and propaganda loudspeakers, into new symbols of a peaceful future. here, visitors from both sides would be able to encounter a common history and culture, learning to embrace the differences instead of magnifying them. in this way, the new architecture could help build a better political landscape.

25 pavilions are proposed every 10 km along the 250 km border

the color ‘blue’ is the good medium to unify different components and contents as one big territory. basically, this is the color of the original panmunjom and is internationally recognized as the color of peace. it could be the symbol of ‘neutral and peace’ in this zone. therefore, this whole area continually expresses a sense of positive and optimistic future.

the 25 panmunjom pavilions represented in their unifying ‘blue’ color

BNZ news
video by Soyoun Kim

pattern design and translations of both korean societies, describing anti-stereotype as well as stereotype

concept collage image — from symbol of conflict to symbol of peace

traveler leaflet for the blue neutralized zone

monument — collage of both korean monuments

hotel — collage of both korean hotel cultures

cafe and restaurant — re-interpretation of the infiltration tunnel as a connecting space

mall — design inspired by north korean communism society

music hall — re-interpretation of the propaganda loudspeaker in a good way

isometric view of the 25 panmunjom pavilions

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.