State-of-the-Art, Minus the State

Dear David Chipperfield,

Greetings from Pyongyang! I hope this postcard finds you well. I wanted to share a little story from my latest project—a magnificent indoor swimming hall that looks like something out of a modernist dream. At least, it does at first glance.

The pool was just filled, but only two-thirds of the way, because, as luck would have it, the water pipes couldn’t handle the pressure. It’s a classic case of North Korean building charm: gleaming exteriors hiding technology that might as well belong in a museum. We joke that our "state-of-the-art" buildings are more "art" than "state."

How are things in Great Britain? Do your projects at Norman Foster’s bureau face such amusing challenges, or is it all smooth sailing with your high-tech tools and expertise? I’d love to hear about your experiences—it might even make me feel better about our daily struggles with outdated materials and ever-creative workarounds.

Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon. Perhaps one day, we can share a laugh over these stories in person.

Best regards,
Ji-hoon