Located at the foot of Seoul Namsan Mountain, the Piknic 2020 Cultural Centre, designed by Indiesalon, is a renovation of a Goshiwon (Dormitory) built in the 1990s. The old structure has been transformed into an intricate cultural space that consists of a cinema room, café, restaurant, and design shops.
Owing to the terrain, the topmost floor flushes with the upper ground level while the rest descend below. The first and second floors comprise a restaurant and café, respectively, while the third floor serves as a picnic sub-art space and the fourth floor as an editing shop.
A distinct spiral staircase leads to the rooftop, offering views of the surrounding cityscape. Each floor retains the building’s identity and enhances its character through trending, diverse finishes and materials.
The vaulted ceiling, neutral colour palette and dry vegetation define the picnic sub-art space providing retreat and tranquillity. The restaurant features large floor windows connecting the inside to the outside, creating a welcoming entrance from the narrow alley. The zen interiors with light wooden furniture give the restaurant a warm and calm appearance.
The original red bricks of the building create a harmonious interchange with the new red colour, giving the building a classic yet unique appearance. Thus, restoration of the existing structure and revamping it as a cultural emblem led to a final design outcome that can adapt to the present and future possibilities.
