Dongsei Kim

Dongsei Kim is an architect, urbanist, and educator. His current research, focusing on architecture and urbanism’s relationship to nation-state borders across multiple scales, examines the notions of “inclusion” and “exclusion” and how “us” and ‘them’ are defined through various spatial practices. His research on the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has been internationally recognized through multiple exhibitions and publications.

Dongsei's research on the DMZ border contributed to the Golden Lion award-winning “Crow’s Eye View: The Korean Peninsula” exhibition curated by Minsuk Cho, Hyungmin Pai and Changmo Ahn at the 14th International Architecture Exhibition directed by Rem Koolhaas (Venice, 2014). Recently, his work has been invited to exhibitions such as the “Active Archive” at the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (Seoul, 2017); “(im)positions” at Melbourne School of Design (Melbourne, 2017); “Over the Boundary” at the State Library of Queensland (Brisbane, 2016); “REAL DMZ PROJECT” at Art Sonje Center (Seoul, 2015); “Making Border” at DNA Gallery (Berlin, 2015); and “Cold War, Hot Peace” at Slought (Philadelphia, 2015).

He served as an assistant professor at Korea University and an adjunct assistant professor at Columbia University, GSAPP before joining New York Tech. Additionally, he has taught architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design studios and seminars at Carleton University (Canada); Kyung Hee University (Korea); Monash University (Australia); RMIT University (Australia); and Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand).

Dongsei practiced architecture in Wellington, Seoul, and New York, and gained his registration as an architect with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) in 2007. He is an architect member of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) and served as a Research Advisory Committee member at the Institute of Trans-Division and Border Studies (ITBS) in Seoul, Korea (2015–2018).

Dongsei holds a Master in Design Studies with Distinction from Harvard Graduate School of Design. He also earned his M.S. in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University, GSAPP and a professional Bachelor of Architecture with honors from Victoria University of Wellington.

Recent Projects/Research

• Agency of mapping in architectural and urban design processes
• Imagining impossible scenarios for the DMZ through the instruments of spatial design
• ISRC funded international symposium titled "Project DMZ, 30 Years After" at the renowned Storefront for Art and Architecture in NYC, April 20, 2019.

Selected Publications

• Kim, Dongsei. 2018. “Metamorphosis of a Zone.” Topos: The International Review of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design 104 (September): 74-79. (ISBN 978-3-7667-2251-5; ISSN 0942-752 X)
• Kim, Dongsei. 2017. “Towards Edge Spaces of Productive Inclusivity: A Subversive Act.” In Chandigarh Rethink: Transforming Ruralities & Edge(ness) in Global Urbanities, edited by Manu P. Sobti, 92-105. Chambersburg, PA: ORO Editions. (ISBN: 978-1-939621-36-8)
• Kim, Dongsei. 2016. “The First Iteration.” The Site Magazine. Vol. 35. Spring. May 26: 28-37. In print and online (ISSN 2369-9566)
• Kim, Dongsei. 2015. “On Teddy Cruz, The Political Equator (2005-11).” In Critical Landscapes: Art, Space, Politics, edited by Emily Eliza Scott and Kirsten Swenson, 179-181. Oakland: University of California Press. (ISBN 978-0-520-28549-1)
• Kim, Dongsei. 2014. “Towards a Dialogical Peace in the Demilitarized Zone.” Volume. Vol. 40. July: 40-43. (ISSN 978-90-77966)
• Kim, Dongsei. 2014. “A Construct the Koreas (Never) Made Together: Deconstructing the DMZ for the imaginary.” In The North Korea Atlas, edited by Dongwoo Yim & Rafel Luna, 566-571. Seoul: DAMDI Publishers. (ISBN 978-89-6801-026-2).
• Kim, Dongsei. 2013. “Borders as Urbanism: Redrawing the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea.” Landscape Architecture Frontiers. Vol.1 (2) April: 150-157. (ISSN 2095-5405 print, 2095-5413 online) DOI: 10.1007/sLAF-0102-0150.

Selected Exhibitions

• "Cities Exhibition" in the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, Seoul, Korea (2019).
• Invited to exhibit ongoing research "A Construct The Koreas (Never) Made Together: Deconstructing the DMZ For The Imaginary–2019." Also exhibited in the "DMZ" exhibition held at the Culture Station Seoul 284, March 21–May 6, 2019, and June 6–July 7, 2019.
• Inaugural Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, Seoul, Korea (2017).
• "Politics of Space and its Shadows'" in the Seoul Biennale International Studios (SBIS) exhibition curated by John Hong (SNU). September 2–November 5, 2017.
• Dulux Gallery, Melbourne School of Design (MSD), Melbourne, Australia (2015).
• "The Second Iteration: Uncovering the agency of the unknown armistice maps" in the (im)positions: Multimodal negotiations of place-identity exhibition curated by Kelum Palipane. April 24–May 09, 2017.
• 14th Venice International Architecture Exhibition, Venice, Italy (2014).
• Research on the DMZ "A Construct the Koreas (Never) Made Together Deconstructing the DMZ for the Imaginary," assisted by Namju Lee and Eleni Gianpapa; June 7–November 23, 2014.

Honors and Awards

• 2018 Sherman Family Emerging Scholar Lecture Series Recipient, Korea Society, New York, NY
• Golden Lion Award for the Best National Pavilion: invited participant of "Crow's Eye View: The Korean Peninsula" exhibition for the Korean Pavilion for 14th Venice International Architecture Exhibit