A New Breeze for Traditional Markets: Yongin Central Market to Be Reborn as Pleasant 'Moiljang'

Yongin City Selects 'Moiljang' as Winning Design for Central Market Complex Facility Competition
Modernization of Public Restrooms and Waste Collection Center... Aiming for 2028 Opening

Yongin Central Market, the representative traditional market of Yongin Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Sangil), will be transformed by 2028 into a modern complex convenience facility for merchants and citizens.

Perspective view of the winning design for the Yongin Jungang Market complex convenience facility construction project, "Moiljang." Provided by Yongin City.

On June 24, Yongin Special City announced that, following a simplified design competition review for the 'Yongin Central Market Complex Convenience Facility Construction Project' held on June 23, it selected as the final winning entry 'Moiljang,' submitted by OOOAA Architects (CEO Eom Sunhee).

The main focus of this project is to rebuild the outdated public restrooms—long regarded as a chronic inconvenience of traditional markets—and to establish a new shared waste collection center to systematically manage waste generated within the market.

'Moiljang,' which was selected as the winning design, is characterized by its seamless connection between the pedestrian flow inside the market and the building, as well as its open lower level that provides visitors with a rest area at any time. In particular, the jury highly praised the design for independently and harmoniously arranging the shared waste collection center and restrooms—each serving different functions—thus faithfully fulfilling the project's objectives.

Furthermore, the design was commended for its spatial planning, which maximized user convenience and minimized the impact on merchants' business activities during construction and operation, taking into account the unique nature of the market, where the five-day market and night market are regularly held.

To ensure fairness in the competition, the city applied its own 'Public Building Design Competition Improvement Plan.' A panel of 13 judges was convened, and a 'blind presentation method' was adopted to create an environment where entries could be evaluated solely on the quality of their design proposals. In fact, according to a survey of competition participants, 80% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the transparency of the review process and indicated their willingness to participate again in the future.

OOOAA Architects, which submitted the winning entry, will be awarded the design contract for this project. Based on this, the city plans to proceed with basic and detailed design phases, targeting completion and opening in 2028.

A Yongin City official stated, "This winning design, selected through a transparent review process, will become a new hub that boosts the vitality of Yongin Central Market," adding, "We will ensure the smooth development of modern convenience facilities that will satisfy both merchants and citizens alike."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.