House of Dior
Rather than calling it a building, I think it is more like a sculpture. Perhaps, in essence, architecture and sculpture are inseparable. This masterpiece was designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc for the exterior, while the interior was designed by Peter Marino. Here, besides shopping for clothes and bags, you can visit the Dior Gallery to see unique pieces from around the world, and enjoy an afternoon tea at Dior Café, managed by French dessert master Pierre Hermé.
Acne Studios Cheongdam
Nordic design brand Acne Studio has opened a flagship store with a concrete lightbox style in Seoul. Designed by Sophie Hicks, the standalone building looks like a large lightbox. It looks much better at night than during the day. The interior of Acne Studio also follows a minimalist and futuristic style, creating a very austere atmosphere.
Oil Tank Culture Park
In 1978, the Seoul Metropolitan Government built the Mapo Oil Depot to ensure a stable oil supply during emergencies. For the past 41 years, citizens were completely prohibited from entering and using this area. In 2013, the city government selected this site as one of the urban regeneration areas. After two years of construction, the depot was transformed into a comprehensive cultural green space, including a performance hall, an open-air theater, a community center, and other cultural facilities. The beauty of the cement style is not something that every designer can master.
A work by Zaha Hadid, featuring a seamless streamlined design with a curved exterior and no columns inside. It is recommended to visit both during the day and at night. The exterior is more beautiful at night, but during the day you can enter the interior of Dongdaemun Design Plaza. At night, there is a sea of rose lights at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which is a must-see. The interior of Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a complex space equipped with conference halls, art halls, exhibition halls, studios, business centers, and convenience facilities.
Seoul Samsung Museum of Art
The architecture of an art museum must fulfill the role that religious buildings did in the past, embodying both reverence and grandeur. The Samsung Museum of Art Leeum is located in Itaewon, near Namsan, and adjacent to the Grand Hyatt Seoul. The museum houses a comprehensive collection ranging from ancient to contemporary works, including traditional Korean art and modern global art.
Paul Smith
With an all-white exterior wall and irregular building shape, this is the best architectural interpretation of Gangnam Style. There are no sharp and hard corners; the exterior resembles a soft white snow house. This is Paul Smith's first flagship store in Asia, and its appearance is truly impressive.
This is an absolutely high-end luxury collection store. Nowadays, more and more people are no longer shopping in Dongdaemun and Myeongdong because they are not trendy enough and the items sold there are too common. Boon The Shop is a great boutique store where you can find some really nice items.
Konkuk University Container
Gao Yuanyuan has filmed here. It is a commercial area composed of over 200 blue container boxes, featuring many small shops, cafes, restaurants, etc. There is one building for males and one for females. It is definitely a great place for taking photos, checking in, and shopping.
Amorepacific Museum of Art
Designed by architect David Chipperfield, the elegant new Amorepacific headquarters features a minimalist and simple style, resembling a moon-shaped white porcelain pot.
