Seongsu-dong and Munrae-dong; areas, recently enjoyed by young people, have something in common. They are creating new values by finding out their own contents related to the local area and adding more value to places like empty houses and stores people have already left. We call them ‘a local creator’ who can create such value; an architectural firm, Blank, established eight years ago, is also one of them. Blank not only attends to its business - architectural design - but also works on various projects in the local area.
Blank began its business back in 2013 as Seung-kyu Moon, the CEO of Blank and his colleagues had moved to Sangdo-dong. Blank is currently working on various local rejuvenation business projects: space design, planning, and operational program production. Here’s how he describes Blank’s work; “we are rethinking about our social role of architects on local communities by focusing on the process of creating space, on people’s participation, and our influence on the community. This is why we are running a shared kitchen, office, and house, being used by our neighborhood.”
Blank opened community bars in Sangdo-dong and Huam-dong two years ago. It has become a place more than just a bar where locals casually get together. Our activities that revive the local community are very much like the all-new 2021 Elantra in terms of youth and passion. Elantra’s all-new fresh idea brings a lively image to the city. As an architect myself, I did pretty much like the all-new 2021 Elantra commercial. It reflects the all-new lifestyle; seniors spending much time on hobbies, a husband doing house chores, and a dog being considered as a family member. Blank and the all-new 2021 Elantra are driving in the same direction―we love diversity. What an ad!
The all-new 2021 Elantra has embodied the peculiar beauty you have never experienced before through the 'Parametric Dynamics' design theme. It shows off its sharp, edge side character line. I believe such design features will play a positive role in changing the image of the city. “I feel great when I look at the all-new 2021 Elantra on the street. A car that has such a distinctly contrasted appearance is nowhere to be seen. The dynamic profile of Elantra is likely to inspire the vitality of the cities.
Cars must be taken into account in designing architectures since we must think about various elements related to those ― parking lot, traffic line, and their design. His inspiring thoughts about cars come from his background; he majored in architecture design. Cars have become larger in size over time. We are now designing access roads, areas, and ground floors of the parking lot more spaciously to house bigger cars. Elantra is actually not a small car. It is similar in size to a medium car of the former model. Nonetheless, I do not feel uncomfortable when I drive in narrow alleys in Sangdo-dong or Huam-dong. Its size is optimized for Seoul city. The all-new 2021 Elantra has given me greater mobility.
I like going everywhere in Seoul as a personal hobby as well as a professional reason. There is a sort of romantic feeling that can only be felt from this activity. Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the places I often visit. I went on a first field trip here after I got into college majoring architecture in 2005. Every time I visit Bukchon Hanok Village, I always need GPS navigation though. I never get used to its narrow and complicated alleys. It is with alleys like these that AI voice recognition of all-new 2021 Elantra can truly shine. I used to have trouble texting one letter at a time before. However, we can now search for any destination through naturally talking to Elantra. These days, a car is more like a high-tech IT device with wheels.
Yeouido is the nearest subcenter from Sangdo-dong, where I live. I often go there by bicycle for exercise. I believe nothing shows “Seoul” more clearly than Yeouido. The scenery of buildings, the Han river, and the Namsan Tower become in harmony in Yeouido. Yeouido is Seoul in miniature in every aspect. The all-new 2021 Elantra is a car that goes well with this scenery of Yeouido. Side charter lines―sharply perpendicular to each other―remind me of modern glass skyscraper. The dynamic back design has many similarities to Dynamic Seoul.
Recently, I turned my attention to even wider places. I come and go to different areas in order to work on a new place project, which introduces an empty house in the countryside to urbanite who wants to have a nomad life. This is why lately I have taken a long drive. It is really hard to drive a long distance. However, when I drive Elantra, I tend to get less tired. Elantra stays centered in the lane and also maintains distance from the car in front. It is especially useful that Elantra has a function that checks for the other running cars alongside, entering my blind spot and warns a driver. Elantra also comes in handy on the Gangbyeon Expressway or Olympic highway. Thanks to the high-tech function of driving assistance, I am working in safer and more comfortable ways.
People’s tastes are becoming more diverse. The more unique shops in the local area, the more attractions they become where people from other areas are willing to visit. I believe it is important to create relevant content and promote participation in the local community. People say we see no difference between towns and cities. There are many different reasons; a house like a matchbox and a standardized business district full of franchise stores. However, I believe the biggest reason for this problem is because there is nothing much about history and story to our local communities.
I see the way people’s lifestyle has been changing. From the change of family members to the transformation of housing type, people are starting to pursue various ways they have never experienced before. I am sure such various lifestyles breathe new life into the town and the country. I hope that we have more distinctive individuals in our neighborhood, which makes cities a better place to live ―like the changing scenery of roads with the advent of the all-new 2021 Elantra.
Photograph. Choi Jin-Ho
Model. Moon Seung-kyu
