Drugmaker Yuhan's historic headquarters wins Korea's top architectural honor

The Korea Times - Oct 15, 2026

Willow House, the historical former headquarters of Korean pharmaceutical pioneer Yuhan Corp., has won the Presidential Award — the grand prize at this year’s Korea Space Culture Awards, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday. Originally constructed in 1962 in Daebang-dong, southern Seoul, the red-brick facility served as Yuhan’s headquarters for 35 years. Ahead of the company’s upcoming centennial, the historic structure was meticulously renovated and reopened to the public as a multipurpose cultural venue where corporate history seamlessly intersects with the daily lives of neighborhood residents. Its name honors the company’s signature emblem, the willow tree — a symbol of deep roots and resilience gifted to founder Dr. Yoo Il-han decades ago. “The overwhelming presence of the site, the history embodied in its red bricks and the sincerity of a public space aimed at citizens moved us deeply,” a member of the judging panel noted, praising the project for establishing “a new standard for public spaces created by private companies.” Established

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