Amorepacific is one of the largest cosmetics companies in the world, it owns, for example, the brands Etude House and Lolita Lempicka. Architecture is also one of her interests: for example, one of the campuses of this firm was designed by Alvaro Siza. Continuing this line, David Chipperfield's bureau commissioned the project of the company's new headquarters: it appeared in the same place where the company is based since 1956. This is Seoul's Yongsang district, next to the construction site is the park of the same name and the business district, which was planned to be converted in the largest complex of skyscrapers in the country (these plans ended in nothing). The diversity of urban fabric and scale - there is also small, traditional development nearby - has created a challenging context for new construction.
The architects' response was a large, clear block with an extensive public program, with a courtyard starting at the fifth floor level above the atrium, and openings with spacious green terraces on the façade. The courtyard provides the offices and the glass-beamed atrium below it with natural light. Trees in the courtyard and in the openings are visible from many windows, which improves the mental well-being of the employees, of whom there are about seven thousand in the building.
The public atrium includes a museum, a transforming auditorium, a library, shops, restaurants, a tea room, a conference center and a kindergarten for the children of employees. Around the courtyard are grouped spaces for Amorepacific workers - canteens, fitness and medical centers.
The facades are protected from the sun by aluminum profiles: their well-thought-out arrangement allowed them to be made stationary, which significantly increased their durability. They are complemented by internal automatic blinds with manual control, but the authors of the project are sure that they will be needed only very rarely. In the fall and spring, when the weather in Seoul is comfortable, the building will be fully ventilated naturally.
