Bangjja Yugi Museum by Studio Heech: A Poetic Expression of Rammed Earth Museum Architecture

The Bangjja Yugi Museum, located in Mungyeong-si, South Korea, is a remarkable example of rammed earth museum architecture that bridges the past and the present through tactile materiality and respectful architectural layering. Designed by Studio Heech under the direction of architect Heechan Park, this 1,148 m² renovation project honors the life and craft of Bongju Lee—a master of Korea’s traditional bronzeware, Bangjja Yugi—by integrating architectural form with artisanal philosophy.

A Dialogue Between Old and New

The design approach is rooted in the architectural concept of “buildings within a building.” Instead of demolishing the existing steel-concrete structure—originally disguised with faux-Hanok features mimicking traditional Korean houses—Studio Heech retained the outer shell. Within this, two new rammed earth volumes and a steel staircase were inserted, forming an interior landscape that engages visitors in a layered spatial experience. The juxtaposition of material honesty and historical imitation becomes central to the museum’s narrative, inviting reflection on both architecture and craft.

Rammed Earth as a Metaphor for Craftsmanship

The use of rammed earth construction resonates deeply with the museum’s subject. Just as Bongju Lee’s bronzeware is shaped through the repeated act of hammering, the rammed earth walls are formed by compacting soil layer by layer—a process that mirrors the physical and symbolic beating of metal until it gleams like gold. The architectural process itself becomes an homage to the artisanal method, underscoring a shared philosophy of patience, repetition, and material truth.

Structural Innovation Rooted in Tradition

The inserted volumes are constructed with a timber frame made of structural laminated wood (Gluelam), which also acts as formwork for the earth ramming. The walls are thick, tactile, and earthy, emphasizing a return to primitive local materials such as soil, wood, and iron. The floor, ceiling, and interior fittings reflect the same minimal intervention approach, allowing raw textures to dominate while reinforcing a subdued yet powerful spatial character.

Spatial Curation and Material Narrative

Each rammed earth chamber hosts a different typology of Bongju Lee’s bronzeware, from sacred ritual objects to musical instruments and daily-use ware. The journey through the museum is not linear; rather, it is one of encounter and reflection. Visitors are drawn into an interplay between the original structure and the new insertions, where curated openings create surprising moments of light, shadow, and connection with the exterior garden.

Wooden shutters filter daylight through the original windows, enhancing the contemplative atmosphere within. The building blurs the boundary between the real and the represented, the authentic and the fabricated—challenging visitors to think about how tradition is preserved, altered, or staged in contemporary architecture.

Sustainable Reuse and Contextual Integration

Rather than replacing the existing building, Studio Heech’s intervention promotes sustainable adaptive reuse. Wherever possible, the original materials—flooring, wall finishes, window elements—were retained or reused, reducing the environmental impact and preserving a tangible link to the building’s history. The new architecture doesn’t erase the past; instead, it embraces it, offering a platform where both old and new coexist in productive tension.

The project also opens up the building to its natural surroundings. Carefully designed openings connect the museum interior to an exterior garden, establishing a visual and emotional continuity between man-made and natural environments. This subtle integration enhances the building’s meditative qualities, reinforcing its role as both cultural repository and sensory space.

A Timeless Model for Rammed Earth Museum Architecture

The Bangjja Yugi Museum sets a powerful precedent for future rammed earth museum architecture. It proves that meaningful cultural spaces need not rely on grand gestures or elaborate technologies. Instead, Studio Heech’s design foregrounds material authenticity, artisanal process, and architectural restraint, creating an environment where memory, craft, and space converge in poetic harmony.

By aligning architectural practice with the values of the artisan it commemorates, the museum becomes more than a vessel for display—it is itself an object of contemplation, shaped by hands, time, and earth.

All Photographs are works of Jang Mi