West Glow Office and Retail Building

Design Team：Society of Architecture
Size： 522 m²   
Location：Seoul, South Korea

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Feature：

Project - Nestled along the historic Jahamun-ro street in Seoul, South Korea, the West Glow Office and Retail Building by Society of Architecture emerges as a captivating dialogue between transparency and craftsmanship. Completed in 2023, this 522-square-meter edifice gracefully intervenes in the ever-evolving urban fabric, offering a fresh interpretation of the cityscape. The building's façade, a true masterpiece, seamlessly blends into the continuous streetscape while asserting its unique identity. Employing a counterpoint approach, the architects have created a polyphonic symphony by juxtaposing an undulating glass skin with the solid framework beneath. This interplay of transparency and opacity generates a rhythmic play of light and shadow, inviting passersby to explore the depths of its layered surfaces. What truly sets West Glow apart is its meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship. The curved glass panels, adorned with a gradient of liquid ceramic coating, exhibit a wave-like pattern that evokes the delicate artistry of glassblowing. This commitment to craftsmanship elevates the building from a mere functional structure to a work of art that demands appreciation. Beyond its visual allure, West Glow embraces its role as a neighborhood living facility, offering a humble yet thoughtful response to the city's ever-growing need for mixed-use spaces. By gracefully integrating commercial and office functions, the building fosters a harmonious coexistence of work, leisure, and community within its walls.

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Design Team - Founded in 2010 in Seoul, Society of Architecture (SoA) is a dynamic collective pushing the boundaries of architectural practice. Led by principals Yerin Kang and Chihoon Lee, this young firm takes an investigative approach, analyzing the social conditions of architecture and urbanism to inform their diverse, multi-scalar work. With a deep understanding of modern lifestyles, SoA searches for new possibilities to enrich the built environment through architectural thinking applied across furniture, interiors, public art, research, publications, and more. Their practice is enriched by collaborations spanning urban sociology, political geography, history, and art. SoA's inventive work has earned significant recognition, including the 2015 Young Architects Project award for Upo Nature Library, The Rabbit, and the Gender Equality Policy Expert Library. They were winners of the 2015 Young Architects Program organized by MMCA, MoMA, and Hyundai Card, later nominated as 2016 AR Emerging Architecture finalists for Roof Sentiment. With an impressive array of awards, exhibitions at prestigious venues like the Venice Biennale, and thought-provoking publications, SoA exemplifies an architectural practice transcending traditional boundaries through its multidisciplinary curiosity and engagement.