The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
The Arumjigi Foundation’s 2024 exhibition, Room, As It Is, explores the harmonious fusion of traditional Korean aesthetics and modern living environments. Running from August 29 to November 15, 2024, this exhibition seeks to rethink and adapt traditional Korean architectural principles to contemporary residential spaces, reflecting the changing dynamics of Korean society.
The exhibition examines three key aspects of traditional architecture: structure, form, and materials, delving into how these elements reveal a uniquely Korean beauty. Through careful research and innovative uses of materials, Room, As It Is aims to connect the elegance of traditional spaces with the practicalities of modern living, offering a new vision of Korean residential culture.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of home has shifted dramatically. With people spending more time indoors, the focus has turned to creating spaces that not only meet practical needs but also reflect individual preferences. As lifestyles have become more personalized, the demand for tailored living spaces—such as transforming living rooms into cafés or study areas and turning bedrooms into exercise spaces—has increased. Yet, despite the rise of these trends, achieving a distinctly Korean interior design remains a challenge.
Attempts to infuse Korean design into contemporary housing, especially in apartments and multi-household residences, have often been limited to superficial applications, like traditional patterns or images. Moreover, even in traditional hanok homes, which have become increasingly popular for both living and tourism, foreign furniture tends to dominate, diluting the Korean aesthetic.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
So why is it so difficult to adapt Korean interior styles to modern life? The answer may lie in the elusive nature of what constitutes Korean beauty in interior design. Korean aesthetics are deeply rooted in a naturalness that reflects a balanced relationship with nature, where human-made structures coexist with the environment rather than seek to dominate it. This philosophy, as suggested by the exhibition’s title Room, As It Is, emphasizes an unprocessed, authentic beauty that flows naturally from the materials and forms used.
The curatorial team behind the exhibition focuses on finding ways to incorporate this inherent beauty into modern interiors through the three elements of traditional architecture. First, they explore the unique spatial characteristics of traditional Korean architecture, where space is divided and utilized according to the needs of its inhabitants. The exhibition showcases a layout that harmoniously combines traditional elegance with modern functionality by applying these principles to contemporary homes.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
Next, the exhibition emphasizes the variability and flexibility of space. Drawing from the adaptive features of hanok—such as movable walls, windows, and folding screens—the team proposes innovative solutions for dividing and organizing space in modern homes, allowing for greater versatility even in small spaces. This exhibition aspect is grounded in research into spatial usage from the pre-Joseon era, highlighting how Korean architectural concepts can be seamlessly integrated into contemporary lifestyles.
The third focal point of the exhibition is material research. The curators explore traditional materials and how they can be reinterpreted for modern use while maintaining their natural beauty. By emphasizing hand-crafted, unprocessed materials over machine-cut precision, the exhibition celebrates the tactile, organic qualities of Korean aesthetics. Elements such as curved lines and natural textures become central to this reinterpretation, offering a fresh perspective on traditional materials in modern interiors.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
The result is a collaborative effort between architects, interior designers, and artists to create a new spatial experience that adapts traditional Korean aesthetics to modern living. Room, As It Is offers a glimpse into a contemporary residential culture where tradition meets modernity, and where the elegance of Korean design can be integrated naturally into today’s homes.
Through this exhibition, the curators hope to inspire visitors to appreciate the timeless beauty of Korean culture and to consider how these values can be incorporated into their own living spaces. Additionally, Room, As It Is aims to spark broader discussions on the global value of Korean residential culture, offering a fresh take on how tradition and modernity can coexist harmoniously.
Sayart / Maria Kimm sayart2022@gmail.com
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
The Arumjigi Foundation’s 2024 exhibition, Room, As It Is, explores the harmonious fusion of traditional Korean aesthetics and modern living environments. Running from August 29 to November 15, 2024, this exhibition seeks to rethink and adapt traditional Korean architectural principles to contemporary residential spaces, reflecting the changing dynamics of Korean society.
The exhibition examines three key aspects of traditional architecture: structure, form, and materials, delving into how these elements reveal a uniquely Korean beauty. Through careful research and innovative uses of materials, Room, As It Is aims to connect the elegance of traditional spaces with the practicalities of modern living, offering a new vision of Korean residential culture.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of home has shifted dramatically. With people spending more time indoors, the focus has turned to creating spaces that not only meet practical needs but also reflect individual preferences. As lifestyles have become more personalized, the demand for tailored living spaces—such as transforming living rooms into cafés or study areas and turning bedrooms into exercise spaces—has increased. Yet, despite the rise of these trends, achieving a distinctly Korean interior design remains a challenge.
Attempts to infuse Korean design into contemporary housing, especially in apartments and multi-household residences, have often been limited to superficial applications, like traditional patterns or images. Moreover, even in traditional hanok homes, which have become increasingly popular for both living and tourism, foreign furniture tends to dominate, diluting the Korean aesthetic.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
So why is it so difficult to adapt Korean interior styles to modern life? The answer may lie in the elusive nature of what constitutes Korean beauty in interior design. Korean aesthetics are deeply rooted in a naturalness that reflects a balanced relationship with nature, where human-made structures coexist with the environment rather than seek to dominate it. This philosophy, as suggested by the exhibition’s title Room, As It Is, emphasizes an unprocessed, authentic beauty that flows naturally from the materials and forms used.
The curatorial team behind the exhibition focuses on finding ways to incorporate this inherent beauty into modern interiors through the three elements of traditional architecture. First, they explore the unique spatial characteristics of traditional Korean architecture, where space is divided and utilized according to the needs of its inhabitants. The exhibition showcases a layout that harmoniously combines traditional elegance with modern functionality by applying these principles to contemporary homes.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
Next, the exhibition emphasizes the variability and flexibility of space. Drawing from the adaptive features of hanok—such as movable walls, windows, and folding screens—the team proposes innovative solutions for dividing and organizing space in modern homes, allowing for greater versatility even in small spaces. This exhibition aspect is grounded in research into spatial usage from the pre-Joseon era, highlighting how Korean architectural concepts can be seamlessly integrated into contemporary lifestyles.
The third focal point of the exhibition is material research. The curators explore traditional materials and how they can be reinterpreted for modern use while maintaining their natural beauty. By emphasizing hand-crafted, unprocessed materials over machine-cut precision, the exhibition celebrates the tactile, organic qualities of Korean aesthetics. Elements such as curved lines and natural textures become central to this reinterpretation, offering a fresh perspective on traditional materials in modern interiors.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the Arumjigi
The result is a collaborative effort between architects, interior designers, and artists to create a new spatial experience that adapts traditional Korean aesthetics to modern living. Room, As It Is offers a glimpse into a contemporary residential culture where tradition meets modernity, and where the elegance of Korean design can be integrated naturally into today’s homes.
Through this exhibition, the curators hope to inspire visitors to appreciate the timeless beauty of Korean culture and to consider how these values can be incorporated into their own living spaces. Additionally, Room, As It Is aims to spark broader discussions on the global value of Korean residential culture, offering a fresh take on how tradition and modernity can coexist harmoniously.
