Hanwha Galleria lies at a major crossroads, framing the Han River in the distance. Located in the Apgujeong-dong neighbourhood in Seoul, the project acts as a focal point between the residential and the shopping districts of Gangnam and responds to the city’s vision to revitalise the Han Riverbanks. The studio proposed a design that redefines the store’s connection to the local area. Unlike a traditional, inward-facing shopping centre, the proposal uses the facade and the areas around it as public spaces, which are accessible to all, whether they are shopping at the mall or simply enjoying the area.
Neil Hubbard, Partner and Group Leader at Heatherwick studio, says: “Traditionally, 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. Combined with Hanwha’s 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.”
The galleria consists of two symmetrically-opposed twin buildings – alike but not identical – which are connected underneath by a subway. Above, their silhouettes resemble rippled hourglasses, where on the inside, the narrower necks act as nature-filled public spaces. On the ground level, the twins’ unusual shapes come together to frame the view of the river when looking both through and between the buildings.
As visitors ascend the redesigned existing subway, the airy, light-filled entrance atria draw them into two landscaped plazas on the ground level. Their journey continues to an open mid-level garden dotted with cafes, restaurants and shops. The new plant-filled open rooftops offer another green space and, paired with the glass facade, they provide multiple viewpoints and reflections of the city. The outdoor spaces are designed to provide natural interest throughout the year with a choice of native plants and careful landscaping.
Both buildings have a double-layer skin, which offers better sustainability credentials whilst also creating a canvas for art exhibitions and events. The crystalline glass exterior of the buildings creates an impression of softness as it glistens in the day. At night, the outer skin comes alive when used as a backdrop for glowing projections.
The studio’s design for the site was selected as part of competition organised by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Together with the local authorities and Haeahn Architecture, it will now work on the detailed design and development of the project.
The project follows the recent announcement of the appointment of Thomas Heatherwick, the studio’s Founder, as General Director of the fifth edition of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, to be held in 2025. The Korean edition of Thomas’ book, Humanise: A Maker’s Guide to Building Our World, will be published later this year.
