Located on the developing Yeongjong Island near Seoul, South Korea, the Ennori Church stands as a unique religious landmark. Its design draws inspiration from the symbolic shape of Noah’s Ark, incorporating a practical approach focused on dismantling and reusing ship hulls. The building’s bow points skyward, creating a powerful visual reference to the Ark.
This project embraces the principles of scale, ready-made components, and sustainable reuse. Recycling fragmented ship hull parts plays an essential role in the church’s architecture. Steel, a readily available and highly durable material, is transformed with elegant curved forms, giving it renewed purpose.
The concept of “recycling” in this project was inspired by the Young Architect Program (YAP) at MoMA NY, held at MMCA Seoul in 2016. Since then, this principle has been developed further in both competitions and new projects. Our aim is to explore the architectural potential of end-of-life ships and promote environmentally conscious construction methods.
In 1923, architect Le Corbusier compared a sea vessel to several monuments in Paris, emphasizing the beauty shaped by his era. Around the same time, artist Marcel Duchamp redefined mass-produced objects by removing their original function and repositioning them within art. Through his work “Spring” (1917), Duchamp challenged conventional views by introducing the idea of “ready-made” products.
The fate of these once-mighty ships invites reflection on the legacy we leave behind. The ancient Greek word “oikos,” meaning “house,” is the root of both “ecology” and “economics,” underscoring the connection between environmental and economic concerns in modern architecture.
The Yongzong Island Church exemplifies the beauty and functionality of recycling. Its core structure is composed of recycled steel components from dismantled ships. This project transcends mere recycling, embodying a process of creative transformation.
The church’s fragmented design mirrors the dismantling process of the ship’s hull. Strategic cuts within the ship create open spaces tailored for religious activities. The massive scale of ship dismantling inspires awe and highlights the potential of repurposing industrial materials.
Steel, having endured time, carries a unique character—its history and authenticity enrich its value. Here, recycling not only preserves materials but also adds a poetic dimension to the architecture.
The Ennori Church on Yongzong Island is the product of close collaboration with clients. Each project challenges us to refine the “recycling” principle, striving to create more beautiful and sustainable buildings through economic and ecological innovation.
Project Drawings
△ First floor axonometric diagram
△ Second floor axonometric diagram
△ Three-layer axonometric diagram
△ Four-layer axonometric diagram
△ Roof axonometric diagram
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
△ Fourth floor plan
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
Project Information
Architect: shinslab architecture
Area: 2,700 square meters
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Kim Yongkwan
Lead Architects: Tchely H.C. SHIN, Claire SHIN
Design Team: Javier Garcia Gonzales
Construction: Woori JongHb Construction
Location: Jung-gu, South Korea
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