Church of God Wins the 2026 Chosun Future Architecture Award

The World Mission Society Church of God in Homaesil, Suwon, Korea, has been honored with the Grand Prize in the Religious Facilities Category at the 2026 Chosun Future Architecture Awards. The award ceremony was held on November 27 at the Koreana Hotel in Seoul, where General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol received the award on behalf of the church.

Hosted by The Chosun Ilbo and sponsored by the Construction Association of Korea, the Korea Housing Association, and the Korea Housing Builders Association, the Chosun Future Architecture Awards were established in 2018 to recognize buildings and institutions that lead eco-friendly, innovative, and future-oriented architectural culture. Candidates are selected through preliminary research by a panel of experts from academia and industry, followed by a comprehensive evaluation of submitted materials.

This year, the judging panel and related officials highly praised the Suwon Homaesil Church, stating, “Its creative design achieved through technological innovation significantly expands the horizons of future architecture,” and adding, “As an eco-friendly building, it actively utilizes renewable energy, presenting an exemplary model of sustainable architecture.”

In his acceptance remarks, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol said, “It is deeply meaningful that the church has been recognized for faithfully fulfilling its essential role of serving God while harmonizing with nature and being beautifully designed as a welcoming space where neighbors can visit comfortably. The Church of God around the world will continue to share love and warmly embrace local communities.”

Completed in 2021 in the Homaesil District of Gwonseon-gu, Suwon Special City, Gyeonggi Province, the church is noted for its architectural harmony with the surrounding natural environment. The building features curtain wall façades with glass exterior panels and a sunken basement structure that utilizes differences in land elevation to maximize natural lighting and ventilation, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. The interior design prioritizes accessibility, ensuring free and comfortable movement for people with disabilities and families with young children. Auxiliary spaces and terraces near the entrance further encourage communication and harmony among visiting neighbors. The church actively serves the local community by hosting a variety of activities, including Happy Seminars With Neighbors and the Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover, contributing positively to the well-being of the region.

Upon hearing the news of the award, local church members shared their heartfelt resolve, saying, “We will continue to practice love so that this beautiful church God has given us may become a place where our neighbors also find rest and peace.”