Before entering university, I was a student who loved to draw. Ultimately, during my teenage years, I needed time to question myself and went through a period of wandering. It was only when the time came to choose a major that I decided to become an architect. There were landscape architects and architects in my family, and I think I was unconsciously influenced by the spaces of my grandfather’s house, where I used to spend my vacations as a child.

When I listen closely to a client’s story, I often find that the direction and the answers we seek are already there. As I begin to extract alternatives regarding the project’s most essential purpose and function, I naturally arrive at a fitting conclusion. Architecture is the result of logical thinking — a synthesis of aesthetics and engineering. Through a rational development process derived from the site’s unique characteristics and the possibilities it offers, the design gradually takes form. I value the inspiration that comes from the site, the logical alternatives that address function, and the dialogue with the client.

I place great importance on discovering new constructive solutions that differ from conventional approaches while maintaining a contemporary understanding of tradition. In other words, it is essential to reinterpret the present through tradition and, from that contemporary standpoint, to seek new interpretations. Through this logical process, the values of the past, present, and future become interconnected. Rather than pursuing what is merely trendy, I value designs that are more enduring and sustainable, seeking their essence in traditional design principles. This sequence of thought allows me to view architecture from both a diachronic and synchronic perspective.

Whenever things don’t go well, I turn to the mountains. Spending time in the forest gives me a sense of renewed energy. In the beginning, there was nature, and since we built civilization within it, I believe all the answers to life ultimately lie in nature.

Whenever I visit a site, I take time to explore the surrounding landscape. Understanding and appreciating the terrain and history of a place feels like the ultimate source of inspiration.

Recently, I have also begun studying calligraphy. Chinese characters are based on pictographs that embody forms found in nature and human life. They are structured through a geometric system that closely relates to the principles of architectural composition. In Eastern philosophy, the concept of “emptiness” or “space” holds great importance—the dynamic relationship between fullness and void is a deeply fascinating process.