Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 176

After inspecting the new house, Woo-jin felt even more motivated.

He felt proud to have done something for his mother. More than anything, it felt like a great gift to himself, who had been working tirelessly.

‘I should have moved sooner,’ he thought.

Architecture was Woo-jin’s dream, his passion, and his entire life.

The idea of ‘home’ was even more special to him than to others.

That’s why the overwhelming emotions were even stronger the moment he stepped into the new house.

He often thought he had accomplished a lot over the past year or two, but it had never felt so real to him.

The fact that he felt more energized in everything he did was not just his imagination; it was real.

‘It would be rewarding to live in a house I built myself, but… there’s something nice about moving into a house that someone else has built beautifully.’

Woo-jin, like a chef who thinks the food someone else makes is the most delicious, was lost in thought while working in the morning.

Just then, Woo-jin saw Seok-hyun passing by the president’s office and called him over.

“Seok-gu! Did you clear out two model-making rooms for the afternoon?”

Seok-hyun turned around at Woo-jin’s call, nodded, and replied.

“Of course. We were supposed to start producing the pavilion module prototype today.”

“That’s right.”

“I’ve already printed out all the drawings and set them up, so come over as soon as you’re done with your work.”

“Okay.”

As WJ Studio’s new office building began construction in September, the project Woo-jin was most focused on was, of course, the pavilion production.

The basic design direction had been decided before the office building design even began.

But the truth was that digital architecture, based on 3D drawings, required a lot of research and development in the production process, even for a ‘small building’ like a pavilion.

There was a big difference between modeling a virtual space in a 3D model and creating it in real life.

Zzzzzing-!

So, Seok-hyun, who had reserved one of the model-making rooms again, was pushing the model machines to their limits to create the module in the form Woo-jin wanted.

“Team Leader Jo, have you finished the laser cutting drawings I gave you earlier?”

“Ah, Part Leader. I think it’s almost done. I’ll bring the work over in about ten minutes.”

“Module assembly work also requires some hands, so please assign two people to this side.”

“Yes!”

Within WJ Studio, Seok-hyun’s title was now Head of the Technology Research Institute.

His original title was Part Leader of the Model Part, but after a major personnel change some time ago, his title was changed to Head of the Technology Research Institute.

However, people inside still called him Part Leader, and the reason was simple: Seok-hyun didn’t want to be called ‘Director,’ saying it made him look too old.

‘I didn’t think so when I heard the term Head of the Technology Research Institute… but when you call me Director, it feels like I’ve become a complete old man.’

Woo-jin tried to persuade Seok-hyun, saying that the moment you feel resistant to the word ‘old man,’ you’ve already become one, but Seok-hyun couldn’t accept it.

A bright twenty-three-year-old, a student from the class of ’08, being called an old man!

‘I should ask to change the title to R&D General Director at the next personnel change.’

Seok-hyun continued to work hard with that thought in mind, and as the afternoon came, one person came over to the workshop.

It was the only person in the company who called Seok-hyun Director.

“Director, is the work going well?”

“Damn it. I told you not to call me Director.”

“Don’t make that Jaden Smith face, and quickly show me the module you made.”

“Hoo. Alright. Just a moment.”

And so, in that friendly atmosphere, another day at WJ Studio was passing by.

A pavilion is like a small version of a building.

But from a design point of view, the pavilion is a type of project where the architect’s skills are very clear.

When working on pavilions, architectural designers can try out design ideas that they couldn’t use in real buildings because of different limits.

So, when people in the field look at a pavilion, they don’t just talk about how it looks.

All the steps in making a pavilion become part of it, adding to its design value.

For example, a small piece that makes it up, or a drawing. Or even the technology and ideas needed to create the structure.

So, in the pavilion that Woo-jin is working on, even the many algorithms used to create a beautiful design have design value.

“I’m going to create a drawing of how this module was designed and show it next to the pavilion.”

“You mean make a panel and hang it with a wire?”

“Something like that.”

Following the way Bruno designed the light, how the size and shape of the diamond pattern changes and moves.

What patterns these shapes will create and how they will decorate the lobby of Parafield depending on the time of day the sun shines.

How different the art will look depending on where the person in the mall is standing and which way they are facing.

Finally, what kind of design and production process was used to perfectly install this form in a lobby space nearly 10 meters high, and so on.

The work that brings all these things together is the pavilion designed by Woo-jin.

“Sounds good and cool when I hear it.”

“Good? Don’t you think I have a good design idea?”

Even so, all these things had to be part of one idea, which was, surprisingly, simple beauty.

Even the drawings showing the process and parts must be beautiful to look at, without considering their meaning.

Woo-jin believed that no matter how good the idea behind the architecture, it was not a good design if it was not beautiful.

“You said that the design must be good and cool when you look at it.”

“That’s… right….”

“So, I gave you the best compliment.”

“I see what you mean. You’re smart, Seok-gu.”

“He he. Of course.”

So, Woo-jin tried to turn every process and part of the pavilion into a beautiful drawing.

As a result, a small prototype of the pavilion was completed in one corner of WJ Studio’s workshop.

“Wow, it looks pretty when I make this.”

“Right?”

“It’ll be really cool if it’s made in real size. Was it only 9.5 meters high?”

“That’s right. There’s no problem structurally, right?”

“If you attach enough wires.”

The pavilion model produced as a prototype was not just made for practice.

Woo-jin was planning to create and keep a small model for prototype production like this in the company whenever he did any architectural design in the future.

After this small model has done its part, it will be put in a clean glass box and displayed in the WJ Studio lobby.

“The meeting with Bruno is on Friday, right?”

“That’s right. This time, they decided to come to our office. After the morning meeting, we’ll go to the Parafield site together.”

“Then I’ll have to clear the whole day on Friday.”

“You should. You should go with us if possible. You’re in charge of technology.”

Woo-jin’s eyes sparkled as he looked closely at the pavilion model, which was a little over 1 meter tall.

After several research and development steps, the production of real-size pavilion modules will begin next year.

Around the second half of next year, this work will finally be installed in Wangsimni Parafield.

Wangsimni Station has a huge number of people passing through, as many as any station in Seoul.

Woo-jin’s first pavilion installed there would definitely make him known as a skilled architectural designer.

“Seok-gu, do you have the type A and C blueprints too?”

“Why? Wasn’t it discarded?”

“That’s all part of the process until this final plan comes out. I have to show it at the meeting.”

“Hmm. Okay. I’ll prepare it.”

Woo-jin, who was even more pleased after seeing the completed prototype model, prepared for the meeting with Bruno more carefully.

He thought Bruno would be happy to see the pavilion design, which had only been shared as a 3D file, as a real model like this.

So, the next morning, Woo-jin, who had visited WJ Studio after a long time, greeted Bruno very happily.

“Bruno! Long time no see.”

“Haha, how have you been, Woo-jin.”

However, Woo-jin, who greeted Bruno happily, couldn’t help but tilt his head when he saw a man following him.

He had known most of the employees of Bruno’s office for a long time, but a man he had never seen before had appeared.

A man with gray curly hair, who looked about the same age as Bruno, but had a strong build and features.

‘Hmm…? Who is it? He looks like he’s from Spain… Is he from Bruno’s company headquarters?’

As if sensing Woo-jin’s question, Bruno laughed and introduced the man to Woo-jin.

“Haha, Woo-jin. I didn’t tell you in advance.”

“Yes?”

“Here, this friend is… Mateo, my longtime friend and architect from Spain.”

Every time Bruno finished speaking, the interpreter quickly translated, but Woo-jin could understand such simple English without translation.

Therefore, the moment Bruno finished speaking, Woo-jin’s eyes widened.

‘Mateo, a Spanish architect…? Could it be Mateo Villa?’

After hearing Bruno’s words, Woo-jin looked closely at the man he was introduced to.

Although his style was a little different from Bruno’s, he was a well-known architect in Spain, just as famous as Bruno.

Woo-jin was surprised by the appearance of the man he had only seen in magazines in his previous life.

Mateo smiled and approached him.

“Nice to meet you, Woo-jin. I am Mateo.”

Mateo spoke in a deep voice in Spanish, as if he did not know how to speak English like Bruno.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Mateo. I’m Woo-jin, the CEO of WJ Studio.”

Woo-jin, who was even more excited by the unexpected meeting, led them to the conference room with a smile.

In the process, he naturally had to ask Bruno how Mateo came to Korea and to WJ Studio in Seongsu-dong.

He was very curious.

“Bruno, what’s going on?”

“Haha. Mateo’s visit must have been a little surprising.”

“Surprising? It’s an honor to welcome a guest. I’m just curious how you came to visit.”

As they entered the conference room, drinks were neatly placed on the table.

One of the employees saw that there was one more person and quickly went to get another drink.

Bruno looked around the conference room, smiled, and pointed to somewhere inside.

“The reason why this friend came to meet Woo-jin is right there.”

“Yes…?”

Woo-jin looked where Bruno was pointing.

There, the prototype model of the pavilion that Woo-jin had been working on was on display.