Press Release
Martyrs' Maze Meditative Sanctuary by Moohan Kim, Jongeun Yang and Kyungchae Min Receives the Bronze A' Design Award in Landscape Planning and Garden Design
Moohan Kim, Jongeun Yang and Kyungchae Min recognized for landscape planning and garden design by the international grand jury of the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 18, 2025 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has announced that Martyrs' Maze Meditative Sanctuary by Moohan Kim, Jongeun Yang and Kyungchae Min, designed for ITLs, has been granted the Bronze A' Design Award in the Landscape Planning and Garden Design category. The recognition forms part of the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition and was decided through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
The Bronze A' Design Award Explained
The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
About Martyrs' Maze Meditative Sanctuary
Situated within a Catholic martyrdom shrine, this contemplative space features a maze path that symbolizes the pilgrim's journey, offering a serene setting for reflection. The design integrates HPL and CNC-cut stainless steel, complemented by reclaimed wood benches and volcanic stone flooring, seamlessly blending traditional reverence with modern aesthetics. The use of durable materials ensures longevity, while the meticulous craftsmanship fosters a harmonious environment that honors the martyrs' legacy with both creativity and reverence.
About Moohan Kim, Jongeun Yang and Kyungchae Min
ITLs is a design-driven spatial solutions firm specializing in precision LiDAR scanning and data-based planning for remodeling, reform, and construction projects. By integrating advanced 3D spatial capture with architectural and landscape design processes, ITLs provides scalable, site-specific solutions that connect planning with implementation. The firm is led by Moohan Kim, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at Kongju National University, whose work bridges academic research and practical application in spatial innovation.
Award Record
This recognition makes Moohan Kim, Jongeun Yang and Kyungchae Min a winner of 2 A' Design Awards. The awards span the editions from 2023 - 2024 to 2024 - 2025 of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Landscape Planning and Garden Design Award
The A' Landscape Design Award is an international landscape design competition recognizing good landscape designs by leading architects and designers worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to landscape designers, urban planners, garden designers and municipalities from all countries. Entries typically include landscape designs, public parks, residential gardens, urban plazas, campus designs and green roofs. Awarded landscape designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/landscape-design
About A' Design Award & Competition
A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade organized annually since 2008. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic mission to advance society through good design by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Entries are peer reviewed and anonymously evaluated by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. The A' Design Prize granted to eligible laureates includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, the upload of a work and the preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. Further information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://designers.org/165296
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/165296
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!165296
- Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/345949
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Martyrs' Maze Meditative Sanctuary
- Function
- Meditative Sanctuary
- Category
- Landscape Planning and Garden Design
- Discipline
- Spatial Design
- Industry
- Architecture and Sustainability
- Colors
- Steel Blue, Cornflower Blue, Dark Slate Blue, Dark Olive Green and Olive Drab
- Images
- 5
- Client
- ITLs
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Moohan Kim, Jongeun Yang and Kyungchae Min
- Country
- Republic of Korea
- Recognition
- Bronze A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2024 - 2025
- Design ID
- #165296
Credits
- Team
- Kim, Moohan, Engineer & Designer: Yang, Jong-eun & Min, Kyung Chae, Assistant Designer: Choi, Hyo Bhin & Lee, Sujeong
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- This contemplative space, located at a Catholic martyrdom shrine, features a unique maze path symbolizing the pilgrimage journey, providing a tranquil environment for reflection. Constructed from HPL and CNC-cut stainless steel, it integrates reclaimed wood benches and volcanic stone flooring to blend tradition with modernity. The selection of durable materials enhances resilience and aesthetic value, creating a harmonious space honoring martyrs through innovative design and craftsmanship.
- Inspiration
- Inspired by the journey of pilgrimage and the reverence for martyrs, this design reflects a profound sense of respect and introspection. The maze path mirrors the winding road of faith and resilience, inviting visitors to embark on a contemplative experience. Utilizing materials like reclaimed wood, volcanic stone, and stainless steel, the design blends historical significance with modern artistry, paying homage to the spirit of perseverance and spiritual devotion embedded in the site’s legacy.
- Research
- This design research aimed to create a contemplative space honoring martyrs and supporting spiritual reflection. Using site analysis and symbolic pathway design, data was collected through visits to similar historical sites and user surveys on reflective space experiences. Participants included local historians and potential visitors. Results highlighted the importance of slow, guided pathways and sustainable materials to enhance connection and respect. Insights suggest that such spaces deepen cultural heritage appreciation, providing communities with meaningful environments for shared memory and reflection.
- Challenge
- The main challenge was balancing historical reverence with modern design in a way that honored martyrs without overwhelming the natural setting. Creatively, it required integrating symbolic pathways that resonated with visitors’ reflective journeys. Sourcing sustainable, durable materials like reclaimed wood and volcanic stone was difficult due to availability and costs, and CNC technology had to be adapted to outdoor conditions. Navigating these obstacles ensured a respectful, enduring design that serves both societal reverence and environmental responsibility.
- Realization and Technology
- The 'Martyrs' Maze' was realized through precise CNC-cutting technology, using HPL and stainless steel for durability and resistance to outdoor conditions. Reclaimed wood from decommissioned ships was incorporated into the benches, offering sustainability and historic texture. Volcanic stone was chosen for the flooring to create a natural, resilient surface. These materials were selected for their low maintenance and weather-resistant properties, ensuring the structure’s longevity while honoring both environmental and historical values.
- Operation and Interaction
- Martyrs' Maze invites visitors to walk a winding path, guiding them through a journey of reflection and reverence. The maze’s layout encourages slow, mindful movement, creating a tranquil experience that helps visitors connect deeply with the space’s meaning. Natural materials like volcanic stone and reclaimed wood enhance the sensory experience, grounding visitors in a peaceful environment. This design transforms a simple path into a meditative journey, offering a unique space for introspection and honoring the legacy of martyrs.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project was carried out from 2023 to August 2024 and is located within the Gaegab Martyrdom Shrine in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.
- Specifications
- Martyrs' Maze spans approximately 15,000 mm x 12,000 mm, with pathways designed to be 1,200 mm wide for comfortable navigation. Benches are constructed from reclaimed wood, measuring 1,500 mm in length x 450 mm in depth x 450 mm in height, with stainless steel support for added stability. The maze boundaries are marked with CNC-cut stainless steel and HPL panels, each 1,000 mm in height. Volcanic stone flooring is 30 mm thick, chosen for durability and weather resistance, ensuring a sustainable and enduring structure.
- Keywords
- Contemplative Space, Pilgrimage Maze, Martyr Memorial, Spiritual Reflection
