Frenchman made dean of architect school

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Frenchman made dean of architect school

Jean-Michel Wilmotte, an internationally renowned French architect, has been appointed dean of Hongik University’s College of Architecture.
“I am thankful to Korea for such a big opportunity. Last October, I accepted the position immediately after receiving a proposal from the university’s president,” Mr. Wilmotte said in his inauguration speech on Monday afternoon.
Mr. Wilmotte’s experience is broad ― from industrial design and architecture to urban planning and modern renovations of old buildings. He redesigned several wings and galleries of the Louvre Museum and designed the fixtures for the Champs Elysees. He has also worked on various projects in Korea, including designing the Gana Art Center in Seoul and the interior of Incheon International Airport.
In an interview, Mr. Wilmotte said that Koreans have the “hunter qualities” that are sought after in international architectural circles. “Every day, some new technology is developed, and Koreans, who have an advanced Internet culture, have the advantage of being familiar with both manual operations as well as computer blueprints,” he said.
Mr. Wilmotte will be working in Paris, where he is head of his own architecture and interior design firm, Wilmotte & Associes. Hongik University Professor Kim Eok will be acting dean and handle domestic administrative work while Mr. Wilmotte will be in charge of foreign relations ― seeking to create joint programs with architectural colleges in France. He will also give special lectures through the Internet and visit Seoul to lecture in person.
Mr. Wilmotte noted that Korean architecture students are not aggressive enough in seeking opportunities abroad. He pointed out that Koreans were not familiar with international design competitions, many of which restrict participation to Western students ― something he hopes to change. “I will be the bridge for Korean students’ advance into global architectural circles,” he said.


by Lee Won-jin, Wohn Dong-hee
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