146-1 Atrium and Desk
Seoul, Korea

The Leema company asked us to design a new reception desk and an atrium for a major commercial tower in the heart of Seoul. The 50 year old exterior cladding is a simple yellow-orange tile. We looked to explore how simple, mass produced materials could be elevated and given vitality in their use and composition. The elliptical terra cotta flue tubes mimic the elliptical plan of the original reception desk and the vast glass screen of the lobby. A clear glaze enhances the mottled color of the terra cotta and brings its texture closer to the exterior building tile. Placed in two horizontal rows in an elliptical arc just in front of the original desk, each piece makes an incremental rotation from one of the elliptical foci, coming to a perpendicular to the mean, then starting a rotational sequence again. Floating glass panels stand in front of the terra cotta. Sandblasted and clear in the same proportions as the arc glass screen beyond, the glazing both physically protects the terra cotta flues, and makes them more precious. The humble material, now expressing an abstract, geometrically precise idea, is elevated. In our original lobby renovation, the terra cotta tiles of the exterior building façade protected the shiny, reflected glass arc within. In the new scheme, the relationship is inverted, the glass now is the protector of the terra cotta core. When a major tenant left the ground floor, the rear space that had been used for back offices and storage proved to be unrentable. The market also called for further tenant amenities such as a semi-public open space for lounging, coffee, or informal meeting. The major difficulty was the near adjacency to an unattractive service alley. At certain times and acute angles, sunlight might peak thru the top portions of the tall, slot like vertical windows. The large space could easily feel like a generic ballroom. Our scheme introduces a reflecting pool to create a visual center, sound from the water falling and, seating. The deep sculptural wood wall gives texture and warmth to the space, while countering the verticality and rapid rhythm of the windows that were intended for a horizontal expanse three times wider. At the bottom, graduated white film obscures the views of the disheveled service alley while becoming completely clear toward the top, where sunlight has its only opening. The entry to the atrium is directly opposite the new reception desk. The fritted glass and terra cotta screen emulate the desk, hint at a larger space beyond, but obscure enough to preserve a sense of sanctuary for the users within and curiosity for those just outside.