YeongJongDo Onnuri Church

The Yeongjongdo Onnuri Church stands as a unique religious center on a developing island near Seoul, South Korea. Its design integrates the symbolic form of Noah's Ark pointed skyward with the practical concept of upcycling dismantled ship hulls.

This project promotes the concepts of scale, ready-made elements, and sustainable reuse. Fragmented sections of the recycled ship's hull become integral parts of the church's architecture. Steel, a readily available and highly durable material, finds renewed purpose in its elegant, curved forms. Our aim is to unlock the architectural potential of end-of-life ships, promoting a more ecologically conscious approach to construction.

The Yeongjongdo Church stands as a testament to the beauty and practicality of upcycling. Recycled steel components from a dismantled ship form the heart of the structure.
The church's fragmented design reflects the ship's deconstruction process. Strategic cutaways within the hull create open spaces for religious activities. The monumental scale of the salvaged ship inspires awe, showcasing the potential for repurposing industrial objects.

The timeworn steel possesses a unique "aura," imbued with history and authenticity. In this project, upcycling elevates the material, adding a layer of poetic value.

This project allows us to refine the "Up-cycling" principle, striving to create ever more beautiful and sustainable architecture through economical and ecological means.

Architect: shinslab architecture
Construction: Woori Jonghab Construction
Adress: 49 Unnam-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Site area: 2020m²
Building area: 832m²
Gross floor area: 3248m²
Mixed structure: Concrete, Steel

Tchely H.C. SHIN
Claire SHIN
Javier GARCIA GONZALES
Taewoo HA
Janna MASHENKOVA
Seung Yeul CHOI