Iceland Slow Sauna competition Honorable mention winner - Park Juseok

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winner of our Iceland Slow Sauna competition – Park Juseok from South Korea!

Park Juseok

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

My architecture studio is called seeker monks. The name combines two ideas: "Seeker," representing a continuous pursuit of new ideas and deeper understanding, and "Monks," symbolizing dedication, discipline, and a lifelong commitment to mastering one's craft. The name reflects how we approach architecture. We see architecture not simply as the creation of buildings, but as an ongoing process of exploration, refinement, and careful attention to detail. Curiosity inspires us to discover meaningful ideas, while discipline allows us to shape those ideas into thoughtful and enduring architecture.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

We actively participate in a wide range of public projects and architectural design competitions. Rather than focusing on a particular building scale or typology, we are interested in projects that contribute positively to cities, communities, and society. Through public commissions and design competitions, we explore architecture as a medium for engaging with the urban context and responding to social needs. We believe architecture should do more than fulfill functional requirements—it should foster meaningful interactions between people and place, enrich the public realm, and create lasting value for the community.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

I believe the role of an architect extends beyond designing buildings. Architects should engage with cities and society, creating environments that connect people and communities. Architecture is a tool for shaping the way we live, and architects have a responsibility to create lasting value for society.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

For me, architecture competitions are more than a way to win projects. They are opportunities to challenge my own limits, refine my thinking, and continuously develop as an architect. Competitions are also an open platform for engaging with society, cities, the media, and the public through architecture. They allow us to respond to contemporary issues, communicate ideas, and explore new possibilities for architecture and the public realm.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

My advice is to focus on the process rather than the outcome. Whether you win or not is far less important than many people think. Participating in a competition offers a completely different experience from simply reviewing the published results. After spending days or even weeks wrestling with the same questions and challenges, you gain a unique perspective when comparing your own approach with those of other architects. You can see how they addressed similar problems, developed their ideas, and translated them into architectural form. In that sense, architecture competitions are one of the best opportunities for learning, self-reflection, and expanding the way you think about architecture.