Instituto Cervantes Teams Up with the Award-winning STLarchitects Exhibit For “Five Projects in South Korea” Exhibition Nov. 13 – Jan. 12

Works include the Jinju National Museum, Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture, National Museum of Korean Literature, National Design Museum, and Gwangju Main City Library

CHICAGO – Instituto Cervantes of Chicago (31 W. Ohio St.), the city’s primary non-profit center for Spanish language and cultural exchange, in collaboration with STLarchitects presents: “Five Projects in South Korea” Nov. 13, 2024 – Jan. 12, 2025. Located in the 2nd floor art gallery of Instituto Cervantes (which was designed by STL in 2022), the exhibition will showcase five acclaimed projects designed in Chicago by Spanish-owned STLarchitects since 2019. It will feature an immersive visitor experience including 65 feet of continuous floor-to-ceiling panels.The exhibition will include more than 50 architectural drawings and sketches, and five architectural models.

“We are proud to showcase the innovative design work of STLarchitects in South Korea, representing a convergence of cultures from Chicago, Spain, and South Korea that produced award-winning results,” said [IC Spokesperson]. “It is a perfect illustration of our desire to be a vital cultural hub enhancing the visibility of innovative work from international and local Hispanic artists across various fields. We look forward to greeting all visitors, especially Chicagoans, to experience this unprecedented exhibition of cutting-edge architecture and design in this free public exhibition.”

The focus of the exhibition is STLarchitects’ expansive cultural portfolio of projects in South Korea over the past five years. The five projects included in the exhibit are:

• Jinju National Museum: This project received first place in an international design competition in 2023. The new 160,000 SF museum is set to open its doors to visitors in 2026. The museum’s architectural heritage results from its historical commitment to the territory, evident in the tangible integration of its architecture with the city’s natural environment. The New National Museum continues this noble tradition by forging a close relationship between the museum and its immediate surroundings, thus creating a seamless experience between the programmatic offerings inside and outside the museum. The connection between them is established through two longitudinal circulation galleries that act as natural light filters and a climate control system.

• Korean Museum of Urbanism and Architecture (KMUA): The 190,000 SF KMUA received the second prize in an international design competition that took place in 2020. The project seamlessly integrates architecture and nature to create serene, contemplative environments to form a unique connection between art, nature, and the visitor providing the spaces with a solemn, calm, and timeless character. Social interaction within the museum is encouraged through the careful arrangement of the different program offerings and by the provision of an open and transparent ground floor which ensures physical and visual connectivity within the building and with the rest of the campus.

• National Museum of Korean Literature: The 158,000 SF National Museum of Korean Literature received an honorable mention award in an international design competition that took place in 2021. The project also received the 2022 Architizer A+Awards Jury Winner in the Unbuilt Institutional category. The project represents and serves the ambitious purpose to memorialize the living history of Korean literature and to project with optimism its dynamic future. The proposal for the new National Museum of Korean Literature provides an activity filter that will mediate between the city and the natural environment.

• National Design Museum: This 158,000 SF project was shortlisted with an honorable mention in an international design competition that took place in 2021. The project is part of the National Museum Complex Master Plan which comprises a series of buildings with a strong, individual identity yet with the unequivocal vocation to be harmoniously integrated with each other. This proposal adapts to the conceptual guidelines of the original Master Plan as well as to the basic principles already established by the Korean Museum of Urbanism and Design located to the north of our site. The Korean National Design Museum’s architectural approach attempts to provide a sense of visual and conceptual continuity advocating for a solution that fits seamlessly within its environment.

• Gwangju Main City Library: The 118,000 SF City Library was part of the international design competition that took place in 2020 in the City of Gwangju. The project also received the 2021 Architizer A+Awards Jury Winner in the Unbuilt Institutional category. We envision libraries as culture generators and public cornerstones of civilization. The architecture of a library, in addition to providing a public service by addressing its program requirements, should also be a source of inspiration and awe. The Main Library at Gwangju has been conceived as both an efficient machine for learning and as a temple in which to celebrate culture and intellectual pursuits. The library will be an inspirational cauldron where knowledge is obtained, preserved, and shared.

STLarchitects: “Five Projects in South Korea” is on view at Instituto Cervantes of Chicago (31 W. Ohio St.), Nov. 13, 2024 – Jan. 12, 2025. Gallery hours are Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Closed Nov. 28, Dec. 24-25, and Jan. 1). Admission to the exhibition is free. For more information, visit Chicago.cervantes.es.

About STLarchitects
STLarchitects, an internationally recognized architectural and design firm based in Chicago and founded by Spanish architects José Luis de la Fuente and Luis Collado, is dedicated to creating exceptional architecture that balances pragmatic needs with idealistic aspirations. This exhibition offers an immersive visitor experience, featuring 65 feet of continuous floor-to-ceiling panels, fifty architectural drawings and sketches, and five stunning architectural models. Explore the innovative designs that define STLarchitects’ commitment to excellence.

STLarchitects is comprised of a diverse team of thirty-five designers committed to exceptional architecture. Currently, the firm is engaged in significant projects, including the new National Museum in Jinju, a 3,000-person Event Center for Bally’s Entertainment, and a Fieldhouse in Cragin Park. Their design philosophy emphasizes the thoughtful manipulation of light and space, and their portfolio includes notable projects like the Williams Park Field House and the Lycée Français de Chicago. STLarchitects has received numerous accolades, including two AIA Project of the Year Awards, underscoring their commitment to design excellence.

About Instituto Cervantes

Founded in 1991 by the Government of Spain, Instituto Cervantes is a global institution operating in over 90 cities across 45 countries that is dedicated to the promotion of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. As an agency of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, Instituto Cervantes collaborates with prestigious national and international organizations, both public and private. Its mission is to ensure the quality of Spanish-language products and services and to foster cultural exchange between the Spanish-speaking world and other global cultures.

In Chicago, Instituto Cervantes has established itself as a vital cultural hub since its inception in 1996. The center showcases innovative work from international and local Hispanic artists across various fields, including art, design, architecture, literature, theatre, music, dance, photography, cinema, and science. Its state-of-the-art facility in the vibrant River North neighborhood features a 145-seat auditorium, an art gallery, modernized classrooms, and one of Illinois’ largest Spanish-language libraries. It serves as a crucial resource for both local and international artists and supports the broader Midwest arts and culture community.

The Instituto Cervantes offers Spanish language instruction for children and adults in-person, online, and at schools and corporate offices, along with DELE and SIELE certification. Its accredited workshops for Spanish teachers enhance professional development in the field.

As a distinguished institution, Instituto Cervantes plays a pivotal role in facilitating artistic and cultural exchange between Hispanic countries and the European community, notably through its membership in the EUNIC Chicago Cultural Cluster (EU National Institutes for Culture) (https://www.facebook.com/eunicchicago/). The center promotes cultural dialogue and connections across Illinois, the Midwest, Chicago, the U.S., the EU, Latin America, and Spain, celebrating and integrating diverse cultures.

Instituto Cervantes is committed to offering most of its events free and open to the public, benefiting artists, students, educators, and cultural enthusiasts. Instituto Cervantes of Chicago upholds inclusivity and non-discrimination while actively fostering global connections through residencies, cultural exchanges, and innovative programming.

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Tags: Chicago, Instituto Cervantes of Chicago., José Luis de la Fuente, Loop, Luis Collado, STL Architects Exhibit: Five Projects in South Korea, STLarchitects