In Korea’s multi-layered streetscape, the humble hanok is gaining international recognition for its simplicity that other grand structures fail to achieve. The Hanok Heritage House, designed by Listen Communication, has won first place in the ‘Most Beautiful Hotel’ category at the 2024 UNESCO-sponsored Prix Versailles Prize World Architecture and Design Award.
This win is a significant milestone not only for the studio but also for the Korean architecture community as a whole. This is the first time a Korean design project has won the top award in the world hotel category. Rather than being flashy, it is a deep interest in materials, history, and atmosphere.
The hotel is a reinterpretation of the traditional hanok, designed as a contemporary space that harmonizes with its surroundings rather than a historical exhibition space. Natural light pours in through the doors covered with hanji, and the quiet courtyard provides a rhythm of relaxation and contemplation. This building does not shout, but listens.
Known for their commitment to cultural sensitivity and craftsmanship, Listen Communication transformed this space into a place of reverence and innovation. Through careful proportions, minimal intervention, and a deep respect for the place, they transformed the old Hanok into a space where ancient and modern sensibilities coexist.
In an increasingly glamorous world, the Hanok Heritage House is a reminder that silence can be a form of power, and that emotional empathy can be more important than scale. It is a testament to Korea’s heritage and the status of diverse Korean cultural content on the world stage.
