New Headquarters for K-Pop Artists at YG Entertainment
K-pop artists and their fandom, rapidly absorbing culture through social media, now occupy a significant part of the global music industry. The new headquarters of YG Entertainment, known for its unique production system and global artist development, was designed by UNStudio. The design drew inspiration from YG’s business and the music industry. The new building includes office spaces, meeting rooms, and recording studios, providing a pleasant and efficient working environment for employees. At the same time, it becomes a pilgrimage site for fans who wish to meet their idols.
The site borders two distinct terrains. To the north, there is a low-density residential area, and to the south, the Yanghwa Bridge intersection, the riverside expressway, a large park, and the Han River unfold. These starkly contrasting site characteristics influenced the design and orientation of the building and its internal composition, serving as a strategic element.
In contrast to the ‘Black in Black’ concept of the existing building, made of exposed concrete, the new building brightens the interior spaces with a white tone. The new building follows the height and number of floors of the existing building but is about ten times larger in scale. The seven-story office block, filled with light, faces the park to the south, while the meeting rooms and collaborative workspaces on floors 1 to 4 face the atrium. The plants scattered throughout the atrium also function as an extension of the nearby park. Capsule meeting rooms are intermittently inserted into the inner facade of the atrium, serving as workspaces or relaxation areas. Geometric lines and materials that create a hierarchy of space and internal circulation bring visual consistency to the interior spaces.
The facade represents a new ‘Urban Speaker.’ The building’s exterior is clearly defined in relation to its urban location. The space facing the park opens with glass windows, and the small balconies hanging on each floor are suitable for taking a brief break to enjoy the outside air during work hours. The perforated aluminum panels facing the residential area seem closed from the outside, but the light seeping through creates two aspects of day and night. During the day, it offers an optimized working environment, and at night, it captivates as a shining new landmark of Seoul.
Project Name: YG New Headquarters / Location: Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul / Design: UNStudio / Design Team: Ben van Berkel, Astrid Piber with Marc Salemink and Tiia Vahula, Hyoseon Park, Paul Challis / Co-Design: Kansam Architecture / Interior: Umji House / Interior Cooperation: STUDIO YUUL / Lighting Design: a•g Licht / Client: YG Entertainment / Purpose: Office facilities, recording studios / Land Area: 3,145m² / Total Floor Area: 18,801m² / Completion Year: 2021 / Photos: Rohspace
2023. 5. 12.
