The authorities of Gyeonggi province in Korea launched a single stage international project competition, for the design of a museum on the archaeological site of Jeongok-ri.

Considered to be one of the most important Palaeolithic sites in Korea, Jeongok-ri is of crucial importance for the interpretation of human evolution, its geographic distribution and the development of the Palaeolithic culture.

In conformity with the UNESCO-UIA regulations, this competition received the approval of the de International Union of Architects – UIA

The Museum, of a gross area of 5 000 m2, will be constructed close to the site where the archaeological excavations arebeing pursued.

Participants wereasked to make use of the proximity of the excavation area and highlight the striking qualities of the site and the archaeological objects to be exhibited.

Projects were also to integrate the natural topography and geology of the site as well as its exceptional location beside the Hantan river.

The Museum should be both an educational and entertaining place, dedicated to the cultural and historic heritage of the place.

The jury met on 30 March 2006 and examined 349 projects. Under the Presidency of Byung Hyun Kim, architect (Republic of Korea) the jury was composed of: Kerl Yoo, architect (Republic of Korea), Sungjung Chough, architect (Republic of Korea), Ishiyama Osamu, architect (Japan), Hani Rashid, architect (USA), Cesare Maria Casati, President of ARCA Publications (Italy) and Roberto Simon, architect (Brazil) representing the UIA and Anca Bratuleanu, architect (Romania) deputy UIA representative.

• 1st prize: Nicolas Desmazières (France)

• 2nd prize: Paul Preissner (USA)

• 3rd prize ex-aequo: Lonn Combs (USA)

• 3rd prize ex-aequo: Satoshi Matsuoka (Japan)

• Mention: Amedeo Schiattarella (Italy)

• Mention: Stéphane Lagre (France)

• Mention: Lars Spuybroek (The Netherlands)

• Mention: Antoine Chaudemanche (France)

• Mention: Adriano de Gioannis (Italy)

Furthermore, the jury distinguished thirty-two projects.

A total of 170 000 US $ was reserved for prizes and distributed as follows:
1st Prize: 50,000 US$; 2nd Prize: 30,000 US$; two 3rd Prizes of 20,000 US$ each; five mentions of 10,000 US$ each.

The four finalists share a strong intention to challenge the norm of traditional museums. Ignoring the typological criteria of conventional museums, they sought new visions for this new museum on this special landscape and with the spirit of the time.

This project presents a very elegant plastic conception, simple and perfectly integrated into the landscape. The functional outline of the Museum is extremely clear, efficient and corresponds perfectly to the needs of a prehistory museum. The scrupulously respected landscape is offered to the visitors and the pedestrians who circulate freely.

http://www.jeongokmuseum.org/
info@prehistory2006.org