Inwol-sa Temple; A Buddhist Temple Inspired by the Shape of the Buddha’s Eyebrows

- Project Background
Three years ago, a major wildfire along Korea’s east coast completely destroyed a temple operated by a Buddhist nun, leaving nothing but the robes worn by the monastics. Through nationwide donations from monks and Buddhist devotees, the project was reborn—transforming loss into an opportunity to create a new typology of religious architecture.

- Name & Concept
The name means “the moon’s seal reflected on the lake,” referencing nearby Gyeongpo Lake. According to Buddhist scriptures, the Buddha’s eyebrows resemble a crescent moon and are dark gray in color. This imagery became the primary formal and symbolic driver of the design.

- Site & Program
The site is long and narrow, making a conventional rectangular layout unsuitable for accommodating the two main functions: the main Dharma hall and the meditation center. The architect resolved this by unifying both programs within a single, gently curved structure inspired by the Buddha’s eyebrows, organized around a central lobby with the two functions symmetrically placed on either side.

- Philosophical Framework
A core teaching of Buddhism is that all phenomena arise through interdependent relationships. This is symbolized by "Indra’s Net", a vast web of jewels reflecting one another, representing the interconnectedness of all beings. This concept is expressed architecturally through a long façade wall composed of multicolored blocks and voids, symbolizing diverse humanity while enveloping the temple spaces.

- Façade & Light
Named the “Indra-wall,” this façade mediates between interior and exterior. Inside, filtered light animates the spiritual atmosphere; outside, indirect illumination projects outward, visually expressing the Huayan philosophy of mutual reflection and interdependence.

- Roof Form
The dual curved roof ridgelines respond to the surrounding low mountain ranges and simultaneously express the building’s two primary functions.

- Approach & Landscape
Visitors encounter a reflecting pond in the front courtyard called the “Mirror of Karma,” symbolizing self-reflection as one’s accumulated karma is mirrored on the water’s surface before entering the sacred space.

- Interior Atmosphere
Suspended acoustic panels in the lobby and meditation center absorb sound while evoking a cosmic sky, inviting contemplation of the Buddhist principle of dependent origination.

- Location: Gangneung-si, Korea
- Fuction: Temple
- Completion Date: 2026. 2.

- Site Area: 2,459 ㎡
- Bldg. Area: 548.45 ㎡
- Gross Floor Area: 487.58 ㎡
- Bldg Scale: 1 story above ground
- Structure: R.C.
- Exterior Finishing: Exposed Concrete, Clear double-glazed glass Glass, Design Block, Zinc
- Interior Finishing: Exposed Concrete, Papertube, Metallic Epoxy Flooring

Architect : Kyeongsik Yoon
Client : Inwol-sa Temple / Chief Rev. Jae-bum
Associated Architect : Han Kook Architects, KACI / Yoonjung Kim

General Contractor : Il-jin construction / Yoonduk Bang
Site manager : Bumsoo Yang
Paper tube, Acoustic panel and Door : Yoonsung / Soohun Jeong
Metallic Epoxy flooring : Forsroc / Youngsik Yang
Photograph: Jongoh Kim