The Sulwhasoo flagship store in Bukchon combines a hanok house built in the 1930s with a yangok house (western architecture) from the 1960s. The exterior walls of the building are illuminated with Kona and the hanok part of the house is intended to be completely visible from the outside. Upon entering the space, the interior is illuminated with Eclipse 48V, with a wood accent providing a warm welcome for shoppers. To preserve the more traditional elements of both buildings, Choi retained the original columns and rafters of the hanok and the structural framework of the yangok as far as possible.
Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean village in Seoul of many alleys and hanoks (traditional Korean architecture), typifying a 600-year-old historical environment.
If you drive slowly along the main road through Gahoe-dong and between the royal palaces of Gyeongbukgung and Changdeokgung, you will soon come across a Hanok residence that blends entirely naturally into its surroundings.
Choi Wook from ONE O ONE Architects took the lead regarding architectural elements of the House of Sulwhasoo project. Taking into account that the open space between the roof and the ground is the key to a Hanok building, he removed the embankment separating the two properties and created an open courtyard that connects the Hanok and Yangok houses.
A "gallery" shop window for showcasing the latest products.
Eclipse 48V 3000K displays merchandise.
A display case that takes visitors back in time with traditional dresser mirrors.
Inside, Sulwhasoo utilises the basement and part of the first floor of the Yangok for its boutiques. Customers are greeted by an open architecture in western-style where they can shop in comfort and experience the flagship store's exclusive products.
