Hanwha Galleria, a famous shopping centre in Seoul, will be given a Heatherwick Studio makeover following a competition to reimagine six sites in the South Korean capital. The brief asked for a design that will challenge conventional notions of a luxury department store and affirm the country’s increasingly influential role as a global cultural powerhouse.
Hanwha Galleria lies at a major crossroad framing the Han River in the distance. Located in the Apgujeong-dong neighbourhood in Seoul, the project acts as a focal point between the residential and the shopping districts of Gangnam and responds to the city’s vision to revitalise the Han Riverbanks. The studio proposed a design that redefines the store’s connection to the local area. Unlike a traditional, inward-facing shopping centre, the proposal uses the facade and the areas around it as public spaces, which are accessible to all whether they are shopping at the mall or simply enjoying the area.
The Galleria consists of two symmetrically opposed twin buildings – alike but not identical – which are connected underneath by a subway. Above, their silhouettes resemble rippled hourglasses, where on the inside, the narrower necks act as nature-filled public spaces. On the ground level, the twins’ unusual shapes come together to frame the view of the river when looking both through and between the buildings.
As visitors ascend the redesigned existing subway, the airy light-filled entrance atria draw them into two landscaped plazas on the ground level. Their journey continues to an open mid-level garden dotted with cafes, restaurants and shops. The new plant-filled open rooftops offer another green space and paired with the glass facade, provide multiple viewpoints and reflections of the city. The outdoor spaces are designed to provide natural interest throughout the year with a choice of native plants and careful landscaping.
Both buildings have a double layer skin which offers better sustainability credentials whilst also creating a canvas for art exhibitions and events. The crystalline glass exterior of the buildings creates an impression of softness as it glistens in the day. At night the outer skin comes alive when used as a backdrop for glowing projections.
The studio’s design for the site was selected as part of competition organised by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Together with the local authorities and Haeahn Architecture they will now work on the detailed design and development of the project.
Hanwha Galleria, a famous shopping centre in Seoul, will be given a Heatherwick Studio makeover following a competition to reimagine six sites in the South Korean capital. The brief asked for a design that will challenge conventional notions of a luxury department store and affirm the country’s increasingly influential role as a global cultural powerhouse.
Hanwha Galleria lies at a major crossroad framing the Han River in the distance. Located in the Apgujeong-dong neighbourhood in Seoul, the project acts as a focal point between the residential and the shopping districts of Gangnam and responds to the city’s vision to revitalise the Han Riverbanks. The studio proposed a design that redefines the store’s connection to the local area. Unlike a traditional, inward-facing shopping centre, the proposal uses the facade and the areas around it as public spaces, which are accessible to all whether they are shopping at the mall or simply enjoying the area.
The Galleria consists of two symmetrically opposed twin buildings – alike but not identical – which are connected underneath by a subway. Above, their silhouettes resemble rippled hourglasses, where on the inside, the narrower necks act as nature-filled public spaces. On the ground level, the twins’ unusual shapes come together to frame the view of the river when looking both through and between the buildings.
As visitors ascend the redesigned existing subway, the airy light-filled entrance atria draw them into two landscaped plazas on the ground level. Their journey continues to an open mid-level garden dotted with cafes, restaurants and shops. The new plant-filled open rooftops offer another green space and paired with the glass facade, provide multiple viewpoints and reflections of the city. The outdoor spaces are designed to provide natural interest throughout the year with a choice of native plants and careful landscaping.
Both buildings have a double layer skin which offers better sustainability credentials whilst also creating a canvas for art exhibitions and events. The crystalline glass exterior of the buildings creates an impression of softness as it glistens in the day. At night the outer skin comes alive when used as a backdrop for glowing projections.
The studio’s design for the site was selected as part of competition organised by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Together with the local authorities and Haeahn Architecture they will now work on the detailed design and development of the project.
