What could this 16.5m2 space contain? The space may feel small, but depending on its contents, it could evoke various sentiments. I wanted the space to faithfully reflect my feelings at the time, particularly, the sense of coexistence created by the juxtaposition of worn-out objects from my past and my newfound interests. There’s a certain energy to disused objects from the past—they feel surreal in that they exist in the present moment yet in a non-contemporary way.

The past and the present seem to overlap when they’re placed alongside contemporary materials or objects, almost like they exist in a non-temporal space. Dated objects are sometime referred to as antiques, but the objects of my particular interest were cheap, daily items that have been worn down. They embody the essence of modern design, faithful to their functions and made only of the most crucial elements. The coexistence of old and new items in one space—a designers’ space for that matter—will serve as an anchor, keeping me in touch with the essential value of the space.

This space is usually used to organize thoughts on projects, but it sometimes harbors heated discussions and arguments as well as consultations with clients. In other words, it’s a multi-purpose meeting room and at the same time, a reflection room in which to deliberate on design. If the space can allow people to feel its core value solely through the interior objects and the atmosphere without additional explanation, then its value can be shared.

Type: Office
Location: 2F, 6, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Floor Area: 16.5㎡
Involvement: Concept Design, Construction
Date of completion: Jun. 2018
Photography: Sunghoon Han