An architectural historian and architect, born in Seoul in 1961. He graduated from the Department of Architecture at Seoul National University, earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, and completed a Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania with research on French Enlightenment architecture. In 1994, he established the Department of Architecture at Ewha Womans University as its founding professor, where he continues to serve.

His extensive and profound research transcends time and geography, producing numerous publications. With a solid ability to synthesize, sharp analytical skills, and a unique creative perspective, he connects and integrates architecture with the humanities and the arts, establishing a distinctive academic realm. His primary areas of expertise include architectural history and theory, addressing a broad range of topics across time and space, while also offering critical perspectives on contemporary architectural issues. Beyond research and writing, he applies his academic insights and ideas to actual architectural design projects.

Notable works include A Comprehensive Guide to Yim Seok-jae’s Western Architecture History, Gyeongbokgung: Built on Rituals, Korean Architecture and Moral Spirit, Scenes of Seoul’s Alleys, When Architecture Meets Art, Walking Through Seoul, the City of Architecture, The Mechanical Body and the Birth of Modern Architecture, European Housing, The Wise and Happy House, Hanok, Wilderness and the City, and The History of Theaters.