Reintegrative Cycle

Tongyeong, on the Southern Coast of South Korea, has been famous for its cuisine and crafts using fresh shellfish. The history of people coexisting with nature has been well-maintained for a long time. However, in modern days, a shellfish-based society is experiencing difficulties. Aquafarming, the backbone of people’s living, has been under significant threat. Mass mortality of clams is occurring due to the deterioration of the aquafarming environment. Also, production is decreasing because of the aging of the workers and lack of labor. It is more necessary than ever to increase the efficiency of aquaculture and recover sustainable systems.

An integrated scheme is proposed for a coastal shellfish-based society. A customized retrofit method that starts with existing elements found in the environs would be suitable to restore an organic relationship between humans and nature. By examining the life cycle of shellfish and the locals, an architectural type that operates in sync with the new ecologically combined aquafarms is suggested under a circulation system.

On the coast of Tongyeong, ‘Shell Refinery’ is established as the foundation of the shellfish industry. It is an essential facility where the early-stage aquafarms, shell processing lines, and nacre-craft ateliers gather. The shellfish grown and harvested around this venue are refined according to their use and moved to places in need.

To learn the physical properties of the shell and essential conditions of the space inside the refinery, I made a nacre-craft model in traditional method. Through this procedure, I discovered that each area that handles shellfish requires special conditions – proper sunlight and humidity retention.

Next, the possibility of the shell as a building material is explored. Opportunely, the disposal of redundant shells is a major issue in the surrounding area, which are generated about 60,000 tons per year. Utilizing abundant raw materials in the region presents beneficial alternatives simultaneously. They are carefully processed into two types according to the spatial conditions described above.

The first is a sheet made of nacre, creating a shade that can filter out sunlight to maintain the arable water temperature in the early-stage farm. The second is shell concrete, a mixture of pulverized shell and cement. In the form of thick walls and panels, it maintains the humidity suitable for drying lacquer during nacre-craft. The two types of processed materials are linked with contrasting spatial characteristics. Shell refinery is divided into a vibrant upper part for work and nurturing, and a serene lower part for shell craft and storage.

The roof has a streamlined shape to facilitate ventilation for handling fresh marine crops. It also has an exoskeleton-type structure to prevent obstructing airflow. On the ground level, a lightweight shell-shade is installed on the rail system. This enables shifting the position of the shades comfortably in the direction of the sun.

Contrastively, the basement maintains humidity by reducing airflow with the protruding columns and rough shell surface. Also, the thick shell-concrete layer maximizes the thermal mass effect.

The program in the refinery changes in accord with the amount of harvestry. During the harvest season, the refinery is actively used as a workplace. When the work pauses, it is converted into a craft exhibition and learning center for visitors to watch and appreciate how crops are grown through an underwater observatory. In this course, they will realize the crucial challenge the southern coast faces and its architectural solutions.

The shell refinery, as a cornerstone laid between the land and the sea, creates a new wave. The wave gathers with time, forming the current of prosperity. At last, from this place, the tide of regeneration begins and slowly winds its way toward a future for both humans and nature.