We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Young Jae You ("YJY").
I am CEO, Chief Architect of Shin Han Nam Architects & Engineers. Shin Han Nam Architects & Engineers is an architectural design firm that has specialized in systematizing the most economical and optimized methods of selecting materials for a wide range of architectural projects, including plants, educational facilities, hospital facilities, and residential buildings, over the past 24 years. With our extensive experience, we have been able to participate in overseas projects not only in South Korea but also in countries such as the United States, China, Cuba, Iraq, and Bangladesh. Through our 10 years of experience in overseas projects, we have come to understand the challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises face when venturing into international construction projects. These challenges include the difficulties of establishing local networks and managing personnel, as well as dealing with variations between planning and construction drawings. Leveraging our expertise, we are well-equipped to accurately identify the needs of both small and large companies in South Korea looking to expand into international construction projects. At Shin Han Nam Architects & Engineers, our team is led by specialized architects with a strong focus on design, supported by dedicated coordinators to ensure project security. Our unique network of personnel sets us apart, enabling us to promise the best results not only for domestic projects but also for international projects. Shin Han Nam Architects & Engineers is a brand known for delivering excellence in architectural design.
Young Jae You Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Young Jae You.
Young Jae You Design - Pottery Art Gallery Mixed Use Architecture
Designer Interview of Young Jae You:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
YJY : Becoming an architect may have been destiny. My father was an architect, my son is an architect too. The things I saw and experienced since childhood have shaped who I am today. I imagine it will be the same for our son. Being an architect is truly rewarding. People live and work in spaces I've designed, and for that, I'm incredibly grateful.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
YJY : We are located in the city of Daegu, South Korea, which is the third-largest city in the country. However, our work extends beyond our local and national boundaries. We have undertaken architectural projects not only in other cities in South Korea but also in various countries such as the United States, China, Iraq, and Cuba. For over half a century, architecture has been a profession within our family, and we continue to pursue design challenges dynamically and collaboratively, now with my son. We strive for integrity in architecture.
DI: What is "design" for you?
YJY : Beauty, Function, and Kindness.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
YJY : I have a passion for architecture, interior design, and in addition to that, landscape and lighting design.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
YJY : I admire David Chipperfield's Amorepacific HQ. His pursuit of clear forms, rich volumes, and well-organized lines always inspires me. The way he employs incredibly delicate material expressions demonstrates how much attention an architect must pay to the details of materials. Architecture, while a private endeavor commissioned by a client, inherently possesses a public aspect by its very existence. The larger its scale and the more centrally located it is in the city, the greater its impact on the public. In this sense, I appreciate his architecture for its beautiful forms and rational functions that positively influence the city.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
YJY : Like most architects, it all started with a small house.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
YJY : I prefer natural materials. I appreciate materials processed from their natural state rather than artificially printed or painted. Materials like stone, metal, brick, terracotta, and glass appeal to me. The advancement of computing technology has been instrumental in clarifying our designs. Being able to simulate details rather than ambiguous states is immensely satisfying.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
YJY : During schematic design stage, I feel a sense of possibility when sharing ideas, engaging in deep reasoning, and modeling designs.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
YJY : I focus on whether the ideas are unique, universally appealing, provide satisfaction when used by people. And ultimately, if they can be realized in real world.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
YJY : I feel excitement and agony at the same time. Eventually I see the hope.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
YJY : Every single time, I feel a sense of accomplishment and relief. But at the same time, I discover several points that I could have done better, thus I strive to incorporate those lessons into the next project.
DI: What makes a design successful?
YJY : It's important that it operates in reality as intended, even while being beautiful. What meaning does it have if it doesn't exist and function in the real world?
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
YJY : Beauty and identity.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
YJY : For architects, It is paramount to consider society and the environment. Architecture is the most fundamental and enormous elements of our society. As it directly impacts on tens to hundreds of people, architects bear a responsibility for the lives of their neighbors. Environmentally, approximately 38% of annual carbon emissions are related to architecture. Therefore, we actively implement the latest eco-friendly architectural technologies into our buildings. We aim to minimize carbon emissions by reusing energy within the building. We believe that these small efforts, accumulated over time, will contribute to cleansing the environment
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
YJY : The advancement of technology has not only allowed designs to remain in the realm of imagination but also made it possible to be realized in reality. Thanks to this, the field of design has seen significant progress, as it has become easier to bring ideas to the world. The pace of technological advancement and information acquisition seems to be accelerating exponentially. As a result, the limits of design are rapidly disappearing, and the possibilities seem to be increasing even more. In the modernist era, there was a preference for universal designs influenced by international styles. However, today, there is a great deal of interest in individuality and originality, to the extent that even ideas from emerging designers are being embraced. It appears that the future of design seems bright.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
YJY : 2023 Daegu Internatinal Architecture Biennale in South Korea. I’m planning to attend Convention and Exhibition that Korea Institute of Architects & UIA holds.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
YJY : It seems to come from observing the surroundings in everyday life. When I walk and find new shops or buildings, or when unnoticed spaces suddenly catch my attention, I take the time to analyze them in detail. I often question and deconstruct familiar or commonly used methods, while also reassembling them, seeking inspiration along the way.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
YJY : Clear Forms, Beautiful Proportions, Reinterpretation of Materials.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
YJY : I live in Daegu, South Korea. South Korea boasts a strong and unique identity, with rich history, distinctive language, and a blend of advanced technology and cutting-edge industries. These elements have significant impact on architecture. People here live with flexibility and high standards. Architecture involves numerous unexpected variables until completion, and these factors greatly contribute to the success of project execution.
DI: How do you work with companies?
YJY : Collaboration is truly the essence of architecture. Building a structure requires not only the capabilities of each skilled individual but also prioritizing the relationships between the client, contractors, designers, and various partners. Among these, I believe the role of the architect is to maintain good relationships, ensuring smooth and efficient progress without any setbacks in the construction of the building.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
YJY : Designers' portfolio show their almost everything, even one's attitude and habits. I believe that a good designer not only needs skills but also requires a positive attitude and strong communication skills. We see designer’s portfolio first and then try to see his attitude for works and potential companions.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
YJY : It starts from the land. Once the purpose and scale are roughly determined, we begin site analysis. From there, ideas start to emerge on what needs to be done. We then develop these ideas through extensive discussions with team members. We analyze the city and culture to shape the layout and form. We use various software tools to implement the ideas. Once the ideas are somewhat solidified, we visualize them through 3D modeling. Gradually, through this process, a design that everyone agrees on emerges. As the design takes shape, we check technical and legal requirements to ensure it can be built in reality.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
YJY : As an architect and designer, I consider the overall harmony when selecting furniture and objects that make up the interior of a home. 5 items are audio, recliner chair, styler, Wine Glasses, and faucet.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
YJY : It might sound boring. However, the normal routine of day; arriving at work on time in the morning, working, and going to bed on time, has been the force that has allowed me to continue this work for over 30 years. Architecture needs a long-term effort; it's not something to be taken shortly.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
YJY : When you're young and full of energy, don't hesitate; just focus intensely on what you love for exactly three years. By doing so, you'll undoubtedly gain confidence from what you have done and look forward to a hopeful future. Furthermore, strive to understand everything possible in your field. It will not only enrich your profession but also add depth to your life
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
YJY : As an architect, the positive aspect is that this work is really enjoyable. I feel happy when something that I envisioned comes to real life on a grand scale and functions. On the negative side, it often takes a significant amount of time to accomplish these things, which can lead to sacrifices in other aspects of life. Therefore, I strive hard to find a balance between the two.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
YJY : Three golden rules in my designs are proportion, volume, and function.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
YJY : The most important skill is communication. If one only imagines alone, the design in architecture could likely exist only on paper. Communication plays a significant role in bringing architecture into actual existence. Being Observant, realistic, and willing to learn new things are the next important factors.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
YJY : Architects use various programs: CAD, Rhino, SketchUp, along with various rendering software. Sometimes, we also make actual models.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
YJY : Based on experience, I aim to make the most efficient judgments. While design studies are always enjoyable, architecture comes with deadlines tied to completion. To meet these deadlines, it requires not only rational judgment but also at times, intuitive quick decisions. Such decisions help in utilizing time effectively.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
YJY : Process of design within architecture takes about a year to accomplish but, I believe that a design is only complete when the building is fully realized with our design objectives. Therefore, I would say the design sometimes take several years.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
YJY : I'm often asked about where I draw inspiration from and what is my philosophy for architecture, and how I connect and communicate with clients.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
YJY : In the past, when I started this job as a member of a architectural design team, I learned how to collaborate, cooperate and negotiate which made who I am right now.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
YJY : We primarily work on projects with corporate clients, but I also undertake projects with public institutions and individual clients. In fact, I strive to do good work regardless of the client.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
YJY : Architecture design and furniture design are my favorite parts. They span from the scale of buildings to the human touch scale. Sometimes, architects get absorbed in designing on a grand scale. However, when I momentarily switch to contemplating furniture design, I am reminded of the importance of design at the scale of human interaction. I believe that truly excellent designs emerge when considering both ends of this spectrum simultaneously.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
YJY : We will participate in international architecture competitions and aim to go deeper into architecture and interior design.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
YJY : Depending on the situation, the initial ideas often come to me alone. However, when it comes to refining the ideas and fleshing out the design, we utilize the collective intelligence of the entire team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
YJY : We are currently working on a project for a local boutique hotel. It will be located in a newly developed city, and we expect it to serve as a landmark for the city.
DI: How can people contact you?
YJY : We have a web site to look our projects and contact details. Website : www.shn21.co.kr Mail : shn256@chol.com Phone : +82 53 424 6778
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
YJY : That is all, Thank you.