Buan Art Factory

Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin

Buan Art Factory

Narrative Architects

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Namin Hwang, Sihong Kim

PROGRAM / USE / BUILDING FUNCTION
Cultural Architecture / Art Workshop

PHOTOGRAPHS
Kyungsub Shin

AREA
478 m²

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Buan, South Korea

CATEGORY
Adaptive Reuse, Cultural Center

Buan Salt Factory, located in the old city center near the local permanent market, produced refined salt through the traditional method.

Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin
Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin

This market had played an important role in Buan where the fisheries industry was developed but finally remained in ruins after its operation was suspended in 2009.

The Buan Art Factory is located at the site of this salt factory. The atypical lot is deep inside, with a narrow entrance. As an urban regeneration facility for local residents traveling to and from the market, the long metal facade has strong recognition toward the permanent market.

Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin
Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin

The brick mass on the first floor, which receded behind, and the protruding steel gable mass on the second floor intersect, creating an enclosed wall that welcomes passers-by.

The first floor with an uneven red brick is an extension of an old residential area, and the road created below the metal mass is a consideration for the house behind the site and an extension of the alleyway.

Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin
Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin

The two-story gable roof and highly reflective metal exterior are inspired by a salt factory. The Y-shaped column, which supports the mass, creates the tension of the overhang and makes an intimate rest area with low ceiling height.

This space under the mass allows seeing across four levels from the market entrance to the open space on the backside.

Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin
Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin

On the low-height second-floor terrace, the activities in the building can readily spread to the alleyway, allowing communication with passers-by.

The height of the building gradually increases along the slope from the terrace to the mass of the gable, reducing the pressure on the size of the building.

Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin
Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin
Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin

The lobby with two open floors has the type of factory building where the steel structure is exposed as it is. Rich natural light pours through the window of the gable mass, which is wide open toward the southeast, overcoming the enclosed site.

Except for the asymmetric protruding structure of the overhang, each room and lighting have a very simple and regular arrangement, to build a modular space for each artist later.

The ceiling with the silver deck plate is exposed as it is like a salt cauldron that reflects the light. The transparent polycarbonate, which lightly divides the first floor, introduces natural light into the office.

Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin
Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin

This material is also used as the top of a table, made with abandoned salt bags, and reminds of salt crystals formed in a flat pot.


Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin
Buan Art Factory
© Kyungsub Shin


Buan Art Factory
South Elevation
Buan Art Factory
East Elevation


Buan Art Factory
Latitudinal Section
Buan Art Factory
Longitudinal Section 01


Buan Art Factory
Plan - Ground floor
Buan Art Factory
Plan - First floor
Buan Art Factory
Plan - Site