KHVatec Headquarter

KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim

KHVATEC HEADQUARTER

THE_SYSTEM LAB

ARCHITECTS
The_System lab

YEAR
2012

LOCATION
Seoul, South korea

CATEGORY
Theater, institutional buildings, cultural center

CONSTRUCTION
KCC Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd

PHOTOGRAPHS
Yongkwan Kim

SITE AREA
931.10m2

AREA
462 m²

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
TheKujo

INTERIOR
Kumkang enterprises

CLIENT
KHVatec Co., Ltd

MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Hana CE

ENGINEERING DESIGN
Seojun Engineering

In 2010, when the architects were invited to the concept design phase, it was widespread that the area including the site would transform into a commercial zone (change in Floor-Area Ratio to occur: 250% - 400%) within next 10 years.

The client required three important factors into the design. First, the design should not stand out alone from the neighboring buildings, but still acquire the company¡¯s brand image.

KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim
KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim

Second, to consider that it is IT related company therefore requires high-security, which limits openings.

Third, to include a small theater and a gallery for the employees and the public in respect to cultural context that will continue from Seoul Art Center (note that Seoul Art Center is in close proximity of KHvatec Headquarters).

With the above three requirements, there were two questions to be answered within the design.

First was to ask; How can we provide a system with much flexibility that would respond positively to the future changes (in regards to floor to area ratio) that might occur?

KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim
KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim

And, How can this system coexist with the client request of new typology of an office building and the application into the urban environment?

In response to these questions and request, the architects came to a conclusion of facade structural net system.

Current zone requires Floor-Area Ratio of 250%, and it would increase to 400% when the zoning changes in the future.

KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim
KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim

And the remaining 150% would be achieved through utilizing the space between the skin and the structure through the floating deck system.

On each floor, there are 2 floating decks which perform as a structural beam; also as an outdoor terrace for the office employees who work indoors more than 8 hours a day.

KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim
KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim

As the decks do not overlap one another, it is excluded from the total-floor area and provides a visual communication.

In addition, the office space is surrounded by a layer where it is not exposed too much and offers a higher level of security. The Shield Can Frame, one of the company mobile items, was the motive in designing Facade Structural Net for the building.

KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim
KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim

It was to represent the brand identity through configuration representation of the product.

This arrangement also allows different identity of urban landscape at each level. Furthermore, the adjustment of frame intervals and density minimized heterogeneity from the pre-existing context.

KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim
KHVatec Headquarter
© Yongkwan Kim


KHVatec Headquarter
Floor Plan
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Floor Plan
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Floor Plan
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Floor Plan
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Floor Plan
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Floor Plan
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Floor Plan
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KHVatec Headquarter
Section

KHVatec Headquarter
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KHVatec Headquarter
Diagram
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KHVatec Headquarter
Site Plan