A new international art residency for Korean and foreign artists is set to be built in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. On June 1st, the Jamunbak Cultural Forum, a non-profit organization, announced that architect Tae Seok Ha, head of Scale Architecture, was selected as the winner of its architectural design competition for the Jamunbak International Art Residency.
 
The "Jamunbak" area—named after its location "outside Jahamun Gate"—includes Gugi-dong, Buam-dong, Sinyeong-dong, Pyeongchang-dong, and Hongji-dong. Situated at the foot of Bukhansan and Inwangsan mountains, the district is one of Seoul’s most prominent art zones, densely populated with over 100 museums, galleries, and studios.

The residency will span approximately 2,300 square meters (around 700 pyeong) across one basement level and two above-ground floors. It will offer not only living quarters for resident artists, but also shared studios, seminar rooms, exhibition halls, a community lounge, and craft workshops—forming an integrated infrastructure for "living, creating, and sharing." Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, with the first phase opening planned for the second half of 2026.
 
This initiative is not a typical public development but a public-private partnership. Jongno District Office will support administrative procedures and permitting, while the Jamunbak Cultural Forum is responsible for funding and design. Once completed, the facility will be donated to the district free of charge—an exemplary model of balancing public interest with long-term sustainability.
 
The Jamunbak Cultural Forum was founded by Professor Soonjong Lee (Seoul National University, emeritus) and is currently chaired by Lee. Notable board members include Hojai Lee, Chairman of Seoul Auction, as Senior Vice Chairman, and Yeongnam Park, Professor Emerita of Painting at Kookmin University, as Vice Chair.

Chairman Soonjong Lee stated, “We are benchmarking the ‘Cité internationale des arts’ in Paris to create a uniquely Seoul-style international art platform, not just a creative space.” He emphasized the project’s vision to become a global cultural hub that connects the local and the international through the convergence of art and design.
 
The ‘Cité internationale des arts’, founded in 1965 in Paris, is one of the world’s leading international artist residencies. Each year, it hosts artists from over 100 countries across various disciplines, providing studio and living spaces along with exhibition venues. Located in the heart of Paris, with campuses in the Marais and Montmartre districts, it supports creation and fosters global networking.

Jongno District Mayor Moonheon Chung expressed his hopes: “I expect the Jamunbak Residency to become a new landmark in our creative arts community. This project, built on rich cultural resources and through public-private cooperation, will be a successful model for shared growth between artists and the local area.”
 
Situated at the intersection of nature and city, history and art, this new residency in Jamunbak is more than just a physical space. It aspires to become a pioneering experiment in what a Korean-style global residency model can be.