Saemoonan Church

Deep in the skyscraper-laden Seoul, a metaphorical harmony of curvilinear forms veils a Protestant Church in the district of Jongno – defying the traditional gothic appearance while supporting a “floating cross” at its top.

Saemoonan Church, a 4,231-sqm Protestant Church with 13 floors above ground level and five below, is dubbed as the Notre Dame of Korea. Its maternal image inspired Seoinn Design Group to design a curvaceous wall façade resembling a mother cradling a child in her arms – gracefully extending towards the sky to form two slim towers acting as the modern version of a spire.

A design principle anchored on four main ideas led to many symbolisms manifested by the resulting form. First, Saemoonan Church as the “Mother Church of Korea” embodies its historical significance in the Protestant community. Second, believers are led towards the Kingdom of Heaven through the “Door of Salvation.” Third, the mindful use of light and space created an abstract metaphor of Christ. Lastly, water elements signified the sanctity of baptism.

Inside, believers are welcomed with a new periodic worship space enabled by a fan-shaped layout, a drastic shift to the solemn spatial ambiance offered by long corridors. The Great Chapel with its entire sound system concealed behind acoustic fleece-laden walls can cater to 2,200 persons.

Reaching the apex comes a “floating cross” made possible by transparent glass panels, contrasting the adjacent curved wall, as if morphing into the sky. Inside, an Education Hall with a rooftop garden can be found. An observatory engulfed in the Cross Tower wraps its visitors into a beautiful downtown panorama of the neighborhood.

Further embodying the maternal figure of the church is the yard of Saemunan Road – opening the area as a public resting space instead of pursuing a reverent worship place with a reserved nature. Its spatial continuity with the nearby Sejong Center for the Performing Arts strengthened the building’s goal to be one with its surroundings.

Combining the soft aesthetics of the project with the nurturing intent of the building itself resulted in a welcoming atmosphere where believers are graced with the principles of a Loving God and a Loving Neighbor – two values that 21st-century churches must deeply consider.