Arirang Dowon: Born at the Boundary of the Ordinary and the Extraordinary
When we first located the land at "603 Tongsam-ri," we began to contemplate. If someone were to visit this place during an ordinary day, how could we spatially express the boundary between the ordinary and the extraordinary?
Arirang Dowon is situated on a seemingly ordinary road, appearing from the outside as an unremarkable, factory-like building. However, the moment one steps inside, an entirely different world unfolds. To emphasize this moment of transition, we designed a water wall on the front façade. The flow of water serves as a boundary between the ordinary and the extraordinary, offering visitors a visual delight and a sense of calm.
Upon entering the space, a large void in the center immediately catches the eye. Through this void, whether on the first or second floor, visitors can appreciate a waterfall and birds, a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Korean "Ilwol Obongdo" (painting of the sun, moon, and five peaks). This harmonious blend of nature and tradition offers everyone an equal opportunity for visual relaxation, allowing them to forget the busyness of daily life and enjoy a special experience of tranquility.
The Contrast of “Korean Aesthetics” and “Coffee”
Coffee has become one of the most common beverages of our time. With the growth of specialty coffee in Korea, many people have begun to study and appreciate it. At Arirang Dowon, our goal was to capture the aesthetics of coffee in a way that resonates with the Korean spirit, not just from a Western perspective. We wanted to create a space where everyone could discover and enjoy the flavors they love.
Externally, the building was designed as a factory-like structure that one might encounter in ordinary life, with a slanted roof that creates a unique mass and draws natural light and the surrounding landscape into the interior. The first space visitors encounter is a roasting bar that reflects the philosophy of Arirang Dowon, embodying the originality of coffee under the canopy of nature. Opposite the roasting bar, we created a "scent zone" where visitors can explore various aromas and discover their favorite coffee. We designed the journey from entrance to order so that it becomes a path of finding one’s beloved flavor.
The Canvas of Dowon
Except for two areas, all the walls in Arirang Dowon are finished in a deep ink color. The two exceptions are white walls, left bare like a blank canvas waiting for a brushstroke.
Sincerity (眞心)
True to its name, Arirang Dowon is deeply committed to Korean taste and beauty. Inspired by traditional Korean ink wash painting (sumukhwa), we sought to express an understated elegance that naturally permeates the space. After careful consideration, we conceived a unique performance.
Ink Wash (水墨)
Sumukhwa, or ink wash painting, distinctly sets Eastern painting apart from Western styles, focusing on black and white, which Western art does not traditionally regard as colors. To express the Korean aesthetic, we drew inspiration from sumukhwa and sought to leave its beauty in the space through a performative act. We imagined a dancer holding a large brush, moving through Arirang Dowon, and expressing the extraordinary quality of the space through their movements.
Arirang Dowon is a place born at the boundary between the ordinary and the extraordinary, where tradition and modernity, nature and architecture, come together in harmony. Here, we hope visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee while experiencing the beauty of Korea, finding new inspiration for their daily lives.
