Chapter 007: The Fountain of Welcome (3)

Until two years ago, when he moved to the model room, Section Chief Joo Hyosub was also part of the design department.

Joo Hyosub opened his eyes, as if recalling the past.

"Back when Executive Director Jung Jitak was our team leader, he assigned me a project to design a detached house."

"A detached house design? Was there such a project?"

At the time, Joo Hyosub was part of Design Team 5, which handled apartment designs.

Starting with modifying the bathroom layout of a single apartment unit right after joining the company, it took him six years to reach the level where he could meticulously refine the detailed floor plans of apartments roughly sketched by his team leader, and only then did he become a section chief.

During the company's growth phase, Geunlim Architecture did not accept design requests for small-scale detached houses, so Joo Hyosub couldn't understand why the team leader had assigned him a house design.

He had no choice but to do it since the team leader had asked.

The client, a professor from a famous university, wanted to create a picturesque detached house that would blend into the natural landscape.

Additionally, he wished to utilize the surrounding terrain to create a living environment with a wide view of nature while blocking external views to ensure a sense of security.

Hyosub tried his best to incorporate the client's opinions into his design and shared the entire process in real-time with Executive Director Jung Jitak.

However, Director Jung was not at all satisfied with his work.

"Hyosub, I've told you many times, haven't I? Don't just focus on creating a plausible form. Think about what kind of life the client wants to lead here, what kind of space they need, and design accordingly."

"...Yes."

"I have no idea what you were thinking when you made this."

"I'm sorry."

After that, Hyosub visited the site to better understand the client's intentions and believed he had fully integrated them into his design, but when he showed his work to Director Jung, he was still not satisfied.

Director Jung pointed out that he was missing the core and urged him to approach the design with a broader perspective.

"Section Chief Joo, why don't you try a more creative approach? This isn't an apartment, so you can create a much more diverse floor plan, can't you?"

But as time went on, his confidence waned.

His long-standing habit of standardized thinking repeatedly hindered his free and creative design.

In the end, Hyosub couldn't break free from the limits he had set for himself and gave up a few days before the deadline.

As a result, the design of the detached house had to be completed by Executive Director Jung Jitak.

The floor plan, which unfolded like a screen facing nature.

The long corridor that inevitably resulted from the elongated floor plan was named the "private space."

The client loved this inefficient space and left with a satisfied expression.

"Looking at the floor plan created by Director Jung, I finally realized what I was doing wrong. Focusing only on functionality and efficiency, I had unknowingly been designing only apartments."

This was also why Hyosub volunteered to move to the model room.

He wanted to break free from the rigid apartment designs and explore various types of architecture.

He thought that by indirectly experiencing three-dimensional spaces through models, he would naturally internalize the process of spatial design.

"Later, Director Jung told me that he felt sorry for me because I had been designing apartments like a factory part from the very beginning. He pushed me even though he knew it was difficult, thinking that if I realized I was standing on a cliff, I would find the right path on my own."

He added that an architect who doesn't experience the diverse possibilities of space can't spread their wings and will inevitably fall.

"Wow~. Director, you have such a side!"

"Hahaha. I was also surprised when I heard it later. I had been wondering why he was so hard on me at first."

Hyosub let out a faint sigh.

"I thought I was gradually waking up after taking charge of the model room..."

A look of regret appeared in Hyosub's eyes.

"I finally realized that I couldn't win against a genius."

"Genius?"

"Yes. Moreover, a genius who also works hard. I couldn't even think about catching up."

This was why Joo Hyosub had been coming to the smoking room more often today.

He thought he was doing his best, but after Yegun joined the model room, he kept reflecting on his own efforts.

From the beginning, Yegun didn't seem to be planning to do a half-hearted job as an intern.

Watching Yegun, who overflowed with talent, complete his tasks not just 100%, but 200% more, made it impossible for him to focus on his work.

When Park Director asked in confusion, Hyosub's eyes sparkled, and he smiled meaningfully.

"Gaudi. I think you don't need to look far for him."

Joo Hyosub bit his trembling lips.

Recalling the genius he saw in Yegun's sketches, a wave of emotion washed over him.

What was it about the bold strokes on the yellow translucent tracing paper that reminded him of the rough sketches of Sagrada Familia he had seen at the 'Gaudi Exhibition' a few years ago?

He couldn't express the process rationally, but after observing Yegun for the past two days, he was certain of one thing.

'Genius refers to people like this.'

Seeing Hyosub lost in thought, the anxious Park Director urged him.

"What do you mean?"

Hyosub took out his phone and showed Park Director a photo he had taken.

It was a photo of the sculptural sketch Yegun had drawn, which Park Director had taken away yesterday.

"This was drawn by the intern who recently joined our model room."

"Wow~. The composition is quite good. What did he draw it from?"

"He didn't draw it from anything."

"Then?"

"He drew it in one go as soon as he saw the concept report brought by Director Lee Juhong."

An intern. He drew it without looking at anything?

Park Director examined the photo again carefully.

Since Geunlim Architecture only started using CAD for drawings around 1995, Park Director's 30s were spent with hand-drawn plans.

Thus, he could immediately recognize a well-drawn sketch.

The strokes on the yellow tracing paper, drawn with a pen, were powerful yet elegant.

A balanced sketch that didn't miss the proportions, three-dimensionality, and finishing details of the sculpture.

At first glance, it seemed rough, but the strokes exuded the spirit of a master.

Seeing Park Director's interest, Joo Hyosub suggested,

"Director, would you like to see the progress of the model?"

Realizing that Hyosub's suggestion was not just about seeing the model, Park Nohoon agreed willingly.

"Sure."

"Then, I'll put this out."

Park Director, who had forgotten he had come to smoke, placed his cigarette in Joo Hyosub's pocket.

* * *

The bonding of the acrylic and resin board panels was almost complete.

"Wow. It really looks detailed when you make it like this."

Jiyeon, who had just returned from painting, was captivated by Yegun's work process.

Wearing a black artist's apron, Jiyeon had returned with her hands covered in white paint, having not worn gloves during the painting.

Yegun, careful not to let the paint on her hands touch the model, asked with a nonchalant expression.

"Is the painting done?"

"Only the primer is done. We need to paint it two more times. It's drying now."

"I'd like to try painting too."

"Really? Then, let's take a break in 30 minutes and go together. I find painting the most fun."

Seeing the beautifully colored completed models, Yegun was curious about the tools used for painting.

Jiyeon, who seemed to have an itchy nose, giggled and scratched it with her index finger.

A dollop of white paint, like whipped cream, stuck to the tip of her nose.

Surprised that the paint hadn't dried yet, Yegun's eyes widened, and when their eyes met, Jiyeon blushed and smiled brightly.

Feeling awkward, Yegun quickly turned his gaze and stopped at the resin board Jiyeon had cut.

"But, I feel bad. You worked hard to cut it, but we can't use it."

"There's nothing we can do. Yegun's work is better."

Worried that she might be upset, it turned out she had a cool personality.

After seeing Yegun create a sculpture-like piece with a heat gun yesterday, Jiyeon's view of him had changed.

She had used the heat gun daily for six months but had never thought it could be used in such a way.

Jiyeon, who had been pondering, finally asked.

"By the way, how did you get so good at using the heat gun? Can you teach me?"

"Hmm... I just got better as I used it."

"Come on. Be honest. Have you used a heat gun before? It's not just a one or two-time skill."

If he told the truth and she didn't believe him, why ask?

In such situations, it's best to solve what the other person wants.

"I'll tell you after I finish this."

Jiyeon was about to say something when she saw Section Chief Joo Hyosub and Park Nohoon Director enter and quickly stood up, bowing.

"You're here, Director Park."

"Jiyeon, thank you for your hard work on our project."

Section Chief Joo placed a bag full of snacks and a paper carrier with coffee beans on the table and gathered the employees.

"Come on, everyone, have some snacks. Director Park is treating us for our hard work."

"Hahaha. Well, Section Chief Joo, it's nothing special."

"Wow. Yesterday and today! It's like a party every day."

Manager Kim Junho approached with an excited expression, surprised by the snacks on the table.

"Wow. Coffee and cake slices? Thank you, Director."

Encouraged by Manager Kim's cheers, Jiyeon also hurried to the table.

"Wow! There's even tiramisu. Thank you, Director."

Section Chief Joo called Yegun, who was still working on the model.

"Yegun, have some too."

"Yes. I'll finish this one part."

Park Director, who had been watching Yegun's work from a distance, approached with a surprised look.

"Section Chief Joo, is this our curtain wall (a non-load-bearing exterior wall commonly used in high-rise buildings)?"

"Hahaha. Yes."

Originally, the curtain wall model would have had matte resin boards attached in a checkered pattern to the acrylic, but thanks to Yegun's idea, it had transformed into an artistic piece with a lustrous pearl finish and detailed mullions.

"Is this what you were expecting me to see?"

"Hehehe. I was also surprised by the details."

Park Nohoon and Joo Hyosub, who had stood close to Yegun, couldn't hide their admiration.

"Really impressive. To be able to express it to this level."

Park Director's forehead creased with genuine admiration.

"The sketch photo I showed you earlier was also drawn by Yegun."

"Really...?"

After a moment of thought, Park Director asked Section Chief Joo with a determined look.

"Can Yegun help our team for a day tomorrow?"

Manager Kim and Employee Jiyeon looked at Section Chief Joo with wide, surprised eyes.

Although Yegun had quickly completed the surrounding buildings, giving them some breathing room, they still needed to finish the main building as soon as possible because the design was not yet complete.

Without immediately answering, Section Chief Joo asked Yegun.

"Yegun, can you help Design Team 3 for a day tomorrow?"

The mention of the design team piqued Yegun's interest, but he was a bit concerned about the unfinished model.

"What will I be doing there?"

The answer came from Park Nohoon Director.

"It's not unrelated to what you're doing now. It's because the entrance design is not yet complete."

"Oh..."

"The design for the 'Fountain of Welcome' is stuck, and we learned that the hospital board chairman, who is the client, likes Gaudi. So, I want to review whether we can add Gaudi-style design elements."

'The client likes Gaudi?'

When Yegun didn't answer immediately, Park Director added,

"Don't feel too pressured. I'm not asking you to design it yourself. I saw your sketches, and they were quite good. A sketch of that quality would be sufficient. What do you think? Can you help?"

An unexpected opportunity had presented itself.

No one could do this job as perfectly as he could.

'This is a chance! I have to seize it.'

Yegun couldn't hide his joy and answered with a bright face.

"Of course, I can."

Oh.