The concept of the ‘architectural boundary’ has long been a compelling topic for exploring the gaps and relationships between buildings and the city. The epidermis, or outer skin, which forms this boundary, functions as more than just a protective shell-it becomes an individual object within the urban landscape and serves as a visual and spatial interface that interacts with its surroundings in multifaceted ways. In this project, the designer sought to move beyond a passive facade, intentionally adding depth and richness to the building’s skin to actively engage with its urban context. This design strategy aimed to reframe the architectural surface as a medium of communication and connection, rather than mere visual ornamentation.
The project site is located on a backstreet in Yangjae-dong, characterized by a disordered urban fabric-a landscape shaped by small-scale developments, monotonous grids, conventional materials, and chaotic signage. In response, the design adopted a strategy of embedding contrasting elements into the architectural boundary, disrupting the surrounding monotony and creating new relationships with the urban environment.
A key design direction arose from the specific nature of the client, a defense company utilizing augmented reality and artificial intelligence. The outdated appearance of the original building did not reflect the company’s innovative and high-tech identity. Given the project’s limited scope as an exterior remodeling, the goal was to develop a creative and distinctive skin that would express the company’s corporate image, while also responding to the security demands inherent in the defense industry. The building’s skin thus became both a symbolic and functional boundary.
To redefine the building’s presence in the city, a bright and lightweight metal panel façade was layered over the dark and heavy stone panels of the original structure. These optically inspired metal panels evoke themes of data layering and technological speed, acting as a new urban symbol. From afar, their varying angles and strategic gaps stimulate urban curiosity. Up close, intricately perforated panels and the shadows they cast create a sense of dynamic depth and optical illusion. As pedestrians move by, the façade shifts in appearance, offering a visually immersive experience that transforms the building into a living, responsive element of the streetscape.
