The London-based design studio beat international competition to the job of reimagining two buildings on either side of a major intersection in the Apgujeong neighbourhood of Seoul, known as Hanwha Galleria east and Hanwha Galleria west.<\/p>\n
Seoul-based Haeahn Architecture is also working on the project, which will replace the current department store buildings with two hourglass-shape buildings connected by a walkway underneath the major road.<\/p>\n
The studio says the shape of the buildings mean they are \u2018alike but not identical\u2019, with the nearby Han River viewable from new public realm around the two structures.<\/p>\n
Other features include mid-level and rooftop gardens accommodating caf\u00e9s, restaurants, shops, and views of Seoul. Heatherwick Studio added that the double layer skins of the two proposed buildings offered \u2018better sustainability credentials, whilst also creating a canvas for art exhibitions and events\u2019.<\/p>\n
Neil Hubbard, partner and group leader at Heatherwick Studio, said: \u2018Traditionally, department stores are quite inward-facing; they feel closed off to the surrounding streets. But here we have an important intersection in Apgujeong, with two buildings, east and west, that felt like an opportunity to bring people together.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u2018Combined with Hanwha\u2019s ambition to bring more activity to the buildings, we wanted to provide a strong overall silhouette that creates a gateway, but also gives Seoulites new garden-like spaces to meet, shop and enjoy their city.\u2019<\/p>\n
Heatherwick Studio will now draw up detailed designs. It comes a year after the studio unveiled designs for a public park on an island in Seoul. Work has not begun on the scheme.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The London-based design studio beat international competition to the job of reimagining two buildings on either side of a major intersection in the Apgujeong neighbourhood of Seoul, known as Hanwha Galleria east and Hanwha Galleria west. Seoul-based Haeahn Architecture is also working on the project, which will replace the current department store buildings with two …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131789,"featured_media":750774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[681],"tags":[1270,1613,10415,2102],"yoast_head":"\n