Kijun Times

	UNDER STAND AVENUE is a unique cultural complex consisting of 116 shipping containers, created with the purpose of supporting the underprivileged.[KIM KYUNG-ROK]

At first glance, UNDER STAND AVENUE may seem like an unorganized grouping of shipping containers standing in a field. This land had been abandoned for almost eight years, until the Seongdong District, Arts & Community Network (ARCON) and Lotte Duty Free turned it into a cultural complex that also promotes social good in 2014. UNDER STAND AVENUE, located in Seongsu-dong in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul, was built to better the lives of the disadvantaged by helping them find jobs or educating them. Each store inside the container box buildings has its own story, and JoongAng Ilbo sat down with Kim Seon-ah, a representative from UNDER STAND AVENUE to learn about complex’s mission.



Q. How did you choose shipping containers as building materials?

A. We had no other choice. The site for UNDER STAND AVENUE was designated as a plaza, so only temporary buildings could be built there. We were somewhat confused when we found that out. There’s a big container building called Common Ground near Konkuk University now, but back then, no such structure existed in Korea. So with ARCON, we went to Europe to take a look at famous container buildings.



Which city or place inspired you the most?

It’s hard to choose one single place. Starting from Great Britain, we went around France, the Netherlands, Finland, and others. We got to see famous structures like Boxpark in London, one of the most well known container structures; a container residence built for artists in Amsterdam; and Kappeli in Finland, a cultural complex that used to be a Nokia factory. We studied not only the architectural aspects, but also the inherent philosophies of each building.

	Brinner, a cafe at UNDER STAND AVENUE, usually hires single moms and women from multicultural families.[KIM KYUNG-ROK]

Were you able to cut on construction costs by using shipping containers?

In fact, the cost of building with containers is not much different from using other common materials because we must go through a thorough process of solidifying the land to make sure heating systems and water pipes are stable. But in UNDER STAND AVENUE’s case, we used shipping containers that would have normally been thrown away, so we were able to save on securing containers. The construction company cut the price for us when they heard about the structures’ purpose, so that also helped as well.



Did using shipping containers have any effect on shortening the construction period?

Yes. Originally, buildings this big would take at least a year to finish, but we commenced construction in August 2015 and finished this year in April. The very bottom container of these structures, which hold two others on top, are new containers built through a modular method. We actually had to extend the construction period a bit because of these.



Is there any reason why you kept the buildings so low? They’re hard to spot from far away, especially owing to the fact that they’re placed amid construction sites.

This place was originally used as a passageway to Seoul Forest, and we tried our best not to damage this function. Normally, to keep people hanging around the area, it’s common to block off three sides and leave only one open. But at UNDER STAND AVENUE, there are wide spaces between buildings, and some are as wide as 14 meters (46 feet). We also banned vehicles like bicycles or those running on electric wheels, as to not disturb the pedestrians. Not only that, when we hold outdoor performances, we use measuring tape to limit the size of the stages and areas for the crowd. We also tried not to block the view of trees in Seoul Forest, so the tallest building is only three stories tall. Color was also part of the plan. We painted the containers mostly dark green or blue, so that it would harmonize well with the surrounding nature. Some are colored purple or orange, but not too bright to keep those buildings from standing out. Overall, we aimed at making these structures as comfortable to look at and be around as possible.

	Kim Seon-ah

Except for the fact that it’s made of shipping containers, UNDER STAND AVENUE does not seem much different from other commercial areas. Why is that?

Why would it have to be different? We did start with the objective to provide a workplace to the underprivileged, but UNDER STAND AVENUE is a place for everyone to come and have fun together. Hence we have various facilities for citizens to enjoy. They are welcome to shop at our stores, rest and chill at the cafes, and savor diverse cultural performances. How we hire workers and use the earnings, though, is the difference.



Could you specify that?

UNDER STAND AVENUE does not lease or sell any of its space, so it runs all of its stores for itself, and we have our own methods of hiring workers. At MOM STAND, where we have a restaurant and a cafe, we usually hire women from multicultural families or single-parent families. Nail salons and pet salons at YOUTH STAND provide practical education to teenagers, helping them discover their dreams and talents. They work as mentors for the students, and also support them in starting out their own businesses. One student who went through the nail arts curriculum at YOUTH STAND has already set up her own nail salon called “May Lily.” The products we sell are also different from those of other stores. In particular, products sold at SOCIAL STAND, which are mostly fair trade or up-cycled, have their own stories. For instance, part of the earnings from Ethrica, an African-style clothing store at Walkshop in SOCIAL STAND, are used to educate African people in sewing and design. Grimm Tie sells ties and clothes designed with children’s doodles, and donates part of its profits to child welfare projects. Also, Donggubat sells organic soaps made from vegetables raised by the disabled. Buying products from brands with such stories gives customers something bigger than the mere joy of shopping.



Sometimes, good intentions don’t always lead to good results. How does UNDER STAND AVENUE make ends meet? Also, have you had any gentrification issues with nearby stores in Seongdong District?

We’ve been told that the district is putting in effort to prevent any issues regarding gentrification. The only thing is that we need to pay workers and educate people with stores’ profits, but we haven’t been able to do all that independently. But, keeping in mind that it’s only been five months since UNDER STAND AVENUE opened, drawing in an average of 140,000 visitors each month is quite remarkable. The place is really becoming one of the main attractions of Seongdong District. We can’t make hasty assumptions, but I believe that UNDER STAND AVENUE will be able to sustain itself independently in the near future, and I hope that similar complexes will appear in other districts.

	Left: Doodle Shop is a pet salon that educates teenagers and helps them find jobs. Middle: ART STAND held a paper art exhibition called “The Zoo Next to Seoul Forest” in May. Right: BUYING helps those who wish to buy and sell used products. They also provide offices and networking opportunities for young entrepreneurs. [KIM KYUNG-ROK]

BY KIM MIN-KWAN [shon.jihye@joongang.co.kr]