One O One Architects

Hannam Place

Hannam Place
© Jang Mi

HANNAM PLACE

One O One Architects

PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Choi Wook

PHOTOGRAPHS
Jang Mi

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Hwang Sunyoung, Park Eunsun, Lee Jinhyuk, Yoo Seungki

YEAR
2020

AREA
518 m²

LOCATION
Yongsan-gu, South Korea

CATEGORY
Mixed Use Architecture, Cultural Architecture, Commercial Architecture

Text description provided by the architects.

Hannam Place is located in the heart of Seoul, in a neighborhood where large and small galleries, small restaurants, embassies from around the world, and luxury houses are gathered.

Hannam Place
© Jang Mi
Hannam Place
© Jang Mi
Hannam Place
© Jang Mi

The name of the project “Hannam” is derived from the name of the neighborhood “Hannam-dong”.

The lower volume and upper volume of the narrow and long building of about 4m in width and 20m in length are separated, and there is an entrance through the gap between them.

The distinction between the lower and upper volumes is a feature seen in most of the One O One Architects’ projects.

Hannam Place
© Jang Mi
Hannam Place
© Jang Mi
Hannam Place
© Jang Mi

In architecture designed by One O One Architects, the lower volume is created in close relationship with the ground, and the upper volume varies depending on the design conditions, urban context, and inner space.

Choi Wook, the principal architect of One O One Architects, emphasizes the importance of understanding the “터Tuh” in Korean architecture.

Hannam Place
© Jang Mi
Hannam Place
© Jang Mi

The Korean word “터Tuh” means not only the physical ground itself but also an understanding of the ground, which is distinct from “Site”. In Choi Wook’s architecture, the lower volume is not a “Podium” that supports the architecture, but a “터Tuh” that embraces the surroundings.

In Hannam Place, the exterior of the upper volume is the white background for the complex surrounding situation. However, the metal elements and architectural details were made to stand out so that this small building could have a presence in the place.

Hannam Place
© Jang Mi
Hannam Place
© Jang Mi
Hannam Place
© Jang Mi

The metal was planned to be painted in maroon color, a color often seen in columns and beams in traditional Korean architecture. Eventually, it was finished in a brighter red than planned.

A spiral staircase was placed at the front of the building to show people’s movement in the space.

In his architecture, Choi Wook hides certain parts of his architecture thoroughly and actively reveals other parts to create the character of a place.

Hannam Place
© Jang Mi

One O One Architects
T +82 2 7396363 F +82 2 7396362
One O One Architects
4f 115-9 Daesin-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea 03721