B
What is a normal day for you?
B.A You
My daily routine is quite irregular. If most people classify their day into morning and afternoon activities, mine begins with a late sleep around 2-4 AM and a wake-up time between 6:30-9 AM. I begin my day by subscribing to around five to six newspapers and checking on the site I'm currently involved with. For lunch, I prefer to dine with a client at our company Archigroup MA (建築集團 MA)’s Restaurant MA味 (Mame).
In the afternoon, I have design meetings and client meetings, often extending beyond dinner time. External dinner appointments are rare, perhaps two or three times a month. Evenings are typically dedicated to desk work, handling payments, confirmations, and sifting through emails. On days that end a bit early, I spend an hour exercising before dinner—usually two or three times a week.
After that, I take an hour for a walk and prayer around Namsan near my home, reflecting on the day’s events. Around 11 PM or midnight, it's purely my time. In my personal studio in Namsan, I spend my time reading, having a glass of whiskey or wine, and brainstorming ongoing projects. In short, each day brings a spectrum of experiences.
Forest Lake’ Meeting in Minnesota, USA © Archigroup MA
Visiting the site of the NoHyung-dong Project in Jeju © Archigroup MA
B
What part of the architectural process do you consider the most significant or crucial?
B.A You
Our Archigroup MA's guiding principle, reflected in our slogan 'the architecture that transcends time,' is what I hold as the most crucial aspect of the architectural process. Many architects around the world claim to create buildings that withstand the test of time, but in reality, especially in Korea, there's a tendency for architects to emphasize visually striking or unconventional designs. Buildings that endure for decades or centuries are truly rare. It's partly due to Korea's rapid modernization and the constant pursuit of speed, which has been a significant backdrop to our rapid growth.
However, I believe it's now time to be more deliberate and thoughtful, to create sustainable architectural spaces and structures that endure slowly. Our country's modern history has been marked by rapid changes, but now, I think it's crucial to construct buildings and spaces that can sustainably serve future generations, even after a hundred years. We should aim to create structures that continue to inspire people, not just in the field of architecture but in every domain. This belief is something I hold to be universally applicable across all fields.
NoHyung-dong Project in Jeju © Archigroup MA
B
Could you recommend some architectural landmarks good to visit with children?
B.A You
I'd prefer a place where a considerable amount of time could be spent. It's not just about a quick visit or to take photos; an architectural landmark that creates memories and has a significant impact. Any place that fits this description would be a place I would like to recommend.
Personally, I would recommend Korean architecture. Recommendations like Jongmyo in Seoul, Buseoksa and Bongjeongsa in Bonghwa, Hahoe Village in Andong, Byeongsan Seowon, Soswaewon in Jeolla-do, and such places in Korea would be much appreciated. For modern architectural structures, anywhere hosting an exhibition would be suitable. Since children can get bored easily, events like concerts or exhibitions might be good to visit alongside architectural sites. Planning a day to visit the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon would also be another recommendation.
Pyeongchang-dong Project © Archigroup MA
B
What does clothing mean to you?
B.A You
Not just clothing alone, clothing, food, and housing, essential elements of human life, are integral parts of culture. There aren't many fields where we can attach the term 'culture’. Fields such as clothing culture, food culture, architectural culture, and others, denoted by 'culture,' have a commonality: they require time and a philosophical underpinning. We unavoidably find ourselves wearing mass-produced garments, quickly heating factory-made food, and dwelling in mass-produced spaces like apartments. Yet, it's not because it's ideal or excellent. These systems are designed to function systematically, to structure and sustain society, and to foster production and consumption.
We've come to live in a world where humans seem like mere components. However, it's not because it's ideal or excellent; rather, it's necessary to have our individual tastes, philosophies, and unique essence. Clothing is one of the easiest ways to express ourselves within this framework. It should be enjoyable to dress every day and to have the freedom to deliberate. To me, clothing is the perfect, endlessly fascinating toy.
B
‘ Good taste ’ is something BeneBene highly regards. Please share your thoughts on ‘Good taste’ and your favorite items.
B.A You
Taste is often intertwined with style, but when taste is merely about being stylish, it tends to lack enduring depth. Good and refined taste matures over time, acquiring a distinct essence. Storytelling is crucial for cultivating good taste—it's about creating a narrative. Without that, both the item and the taste it represents can lack profound meaning and significance. There's a prevailing trend, especially in Korea, where people pursue luxury or expensive items, attributing them as superior goods or a reflection of their taste without deeper substance or philosophy.
Personally, I select items that can be used and eventually passed on, carrying a narrative beyond my time with them. I rarely buy items that prominently display luxury branding or brand names. I have an aversion to items that seem to serve as a brand's promotional tool or appear to be products of mass production systems. Those who comprehend their unique taste can skillfully blend both luxury and everyday items to express themselves within their distinctive style. Conversely, individuals lacking this depth might fixate on specific brands or luxury items, mistakenly associating them with their taste. I aspire that BeneBene becomes a brand where people with refined taste curate items, adding stories to them and passing them down through generations.
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