Amorepacific headquarters
"Reinterpreting Korean Classics in a Modern Way"
David Chipperfield is an architect who values cultural context and the value of reinterpretation. The Amorepacific headquarters also sought to reinterpret the beauty of traditional Korean pottery, specifically the moon jar.
If they had simply borrowed the shape of the moon jar, it would have been a mere cliché. However, his efforts to express the essence of the moon jar's restrained beauty through architecture are noteworthy. He once said, "Korean white jar has a quiet and dignified beauty that shines brightly. I want to create a space that expresses its essence, not overtly."
The rooftop garden on the fifth floor is a modern reinterpretation of the courtyard in a traditional Korean house, and the view of the Seoul cityscape beyond the rooftop garden is borrowed from the concept of "borrowed scenery(借景)" in Korean traditional gardens.
The exterior of the building also embodies the restrained beauty of porcelain. Instead of directly exposing the concrete walls, louvers are used to create a simple and soft atmosphere. The slight protrusion of the facade as it goes upward is also a device that reduces volume using the technique of dividing the surface of a traditional Korean wall.
The lobby, designed as a large open space, actively incorporates natural lighting through the skylight. One interesting aspect is that a water pond was planned above the skylight to allow for diffused light to enter, instead of direct sunlight.
* David Chipperfield Architects
David Chipperfield studied architecture at the AA School in the UK and worked for architectural firms such as Richard Rogers and Norman Foster. He proposes architecture that fits into the cultural context, without being flashy or extreme. He has been active around the world with bases in London, Berlin, and Shanghai. His representative works include the Amorepacific headquarters, James Simon Gallery, and the Pudong Center x West Bund Museum, among others.
* Haeahn Architects
Haeahn Architecture is one of the largest architectural firms in Korea, with about 800 professionals working in various fields such as urban planning, residential facilities, commercial facilities, and medical facilities. It has established a strong presence in design across these fields. In the 2023 World Architecture Top 100, it was ranked 7th."
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