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Architect’s designs grew in line with Korea

French architect David-Pierre Jalicon has made distinctive landmarks in Korea since he first arrived here in 1996 to assist in designing the KTX train. As an acknowledgement of his contribution to the city, the Seoul Metropolitan Government granted Mr. Jalicon honorary Seoul citizenship on May 6, as part of the “2006 Hi Seoul Festival.” Eighteen others, including Kevin O’Rourke, an Irish-Korean professor at Kyung Hee University, and Perenlei Urjinlhundev, the Mongolian ambassador to Korea, were also given the honor. The recipients will act as advisors for public events organized by the Seoul city government as well as being able to enter public museums and parks for free.
“I grew up with Korea,” said Mr. Jalicon, explaining that when he arrived in Korea, the design market was just on the verge of taking off. “It was good timing for both Korea and I.”
The architect, who is also the president of David-Pierre Jalicon Architecte in France and D.P.J. & Partners in Korea, has been building modern, open structures like the Aqua-Art Bridge in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, and the new French Embassy. Through his designs, he said he tries to “show the mobility of the structures and their connection to the environment around them.”
Mr. Jalicon’s interest in architecture was in his blood as his father, Andre Jalicon, was an architect, and his late grandfather was an architect-contractor. Born in Clermont Ferrant, France, he has won awards such as the Architecture Grand Prix in 1991, awarded by the Beaux-Arts Academy and the Villa Medicis Hors Les Murs in 1995 from the French Artistic Action Association.
When asked what motivates him in terms of design esthetics, Mr. Jalicon answered, “I want my designs and structures to fit into the rapidly-changing society that they are a part of. Also, functioning with the surrounding nature is important.”
He explained about designing the musical theater at the Seoul Arts Center. “I made the theater underground so that it will be less damaging to the landscape and the outdoor plaza could be used for various events,” he commented.
Mr. Jalicon’s next project is designing a bridge in Bucheon, Gyeonggi province.

by Cho Jae-eun