The Value Behind Rust

Shinslab Architecture has transformed a rusty old ship into an installation for the Seoul edition of MOMA's Young Architects Program

Temp’L (Temporary Temple) is built from the recycled steel parts of an old ship. It brings to light the structural simplicity of the ship’s hull and showcases the beauty of industrial materials by retaining the rusty and rough surface of the vessel. A massive metal structure is placed upside down and hollowed out, revealing a resting place surrounded by vegetation. The ship’s original interior is replaced with minimal structural reinforcements that maintain its shape while simultaneously acting as seating for visitors.

photographs: kim yong-gwan
TEMP’L,  SHINSLAB ARCHITECTURE, Seoul, Güney Kore,

Sited at the entrance of the museum’s courtyard, the structure welcomes curiosity and invites discovery. At a similar scale to the buildings that surround it, Temp’L is transformed from a simple object to a monumental building, a striking figure alongside the vernacular Korean architecture of the neighborhood.

“Any great cultural vestiges can lose their function. In the same way, a material can also lose its original value over time. The fact that the destiny of cultural relics is to be dismantled, should make us reflect upon what we need to consider for future generations,” said the team.

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