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Architects: Design Studio BYO
- Area: 547 m²
- Year: 2022
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Photographs:Kiwoong Hong
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Manufacturers: TON, Colos, Kolon, LX HIMAX, MAGEL, WEKINO
Text description provided by the architects. ZIGBANG, which proposes solutions for the future of the real estate and space, removed its headquarters from the pandemic and built a metaverse called SOMA, an online business method. ZIGBANG, which has been operating this online work method, planned SOMA LOUNGE in response to the need for an offline space that can enhance communication and fellowship among employees and a sense of belonging to the company. We planned this place to embrace both public meetings (Meetings) and private meetings (Parties), where you can chat or have a party together as well as work or meetings.
SOMA LOUNGE, located on Teheran-ro, Seoul, surrounded by high-rise office buildings, has no windows inside and is blocked on all sides by walls, so it was like an underground space without light. We thought of this dark and gloomy space as a cave in the city and tried to make it a cozy cave where you can feel the warmth by attracting 'light' to this place that feels cold and stuffy. The character of the space can be changed according to the purpose of the user without any special process. The sustainability we gave was to create an environment that can change the use and atmosphere of space using only light itself. By using only 'light' rather than a structure with separate variability or hardware extension, it gave the possibility of being changed according to the user's use and purpose.
The lights (Cave lights) placed throughout the space, including the light pillars in the central hall and the infinite horizon, were planned to transform the space into a completely different time and space by using a color-controllable RGB lighting integrated system. According to the passage of time, the artificial lighting setting from dawn when the sun rises to the evening when the sun sets makes it possible to recognize the time zone even in the absence of sunlight, and the softly spreading light gives a calm sensibility to create an immersive environment. This light changes into a flexible and dynamic atmosphere by the reflection of the red-colored rough walls, the slightly luminous floor, and the smooth ceiling, and has the potential to be changed according to various events. The preceding elements were reckless but effective enough to completely change the way users spend their time here. Spaces are appropriately divided according to their purpose of use, but space is left in each space where the gaze crosses to make people's encounters more flexible.
In addition to the open common space, private spaces such as some meeting rooms and intensive workspaces were separated from the central hall and corridors and placed as hidden spaces to prevent eye conflict. To focus on the functionality of the space, the beautiful, curved masses, which have been removed from unnecessary decorative elements, create a comfortable atmosphere with a soft impression by connecting the lines of movement and the flow of gaze. The air-conditioning facilities that existed on the ceiling of the existing space are maintained, and the ceiling composed of various floor heights acts as a spatial element that can distinguish between a common space and a cozy place.
In addition, the frustrating problem of not having a window in the space was realized by inserting a monitor deeply into the wall of the inner space as if there were a hole in the cave and implementing a digital window using the contents of video and the sound of nature. This leads to a mysterious experience that feels like a natural space, not a mere artifact, both visually and auditory. As a result, users freely explore nature, and the space becomes a medium through which they can interact more closely.
