located in south korea, paju book district two is an ideal and creative hub for architects. influenced by district one’s atmosphere of culture& arts for publishing and music industries, many companies have built their own office complex in district two — displaying all sorts of unique characters and styles. MU:M is a english education company located in the second sector, with a distinct logo of a big black-eyed owl on a yellow background. from this particular graphic, south-korean studio wise architecture has kickstarted the early stages of  the building’s design. 

wise architecture MU:M building south korea designboom
Mu:M building overview 
all images  © kyung roh

 

 

according to MU:M, the logo tells the story of the adventure, challenge and passion of a yellow owl which sets out to search for the 13th planet of the solar system. impressed by this narrative, wise architecture — in the early stages of design — has suggested a nest-shape building which evokes a space for the owl to rest in. however in the end, the complex takes on the form of a tree stump looking naturally settled on the ground. by using the twisted form and repetitive wall patterns, a sense of rhythm and flow  is given to the complex.
 
wise architecture MU:M building south korea designboom
entrance of the building mimicking a tree stump

 

 

entirely covered in black brick, the MU:M building has a twisted rectangular shape, and is defined by an entrance that seems to ‘split’ a distorted surface — making it difficult to distinguish between front and back. in contrast to the ‘torn’ entrance, 2m×2m large windows are installed as openings in order to enhance the sense of openness on the lower floors. to block out excessive light flowing into the upper floors, the architect has designed lintels to be closed gradually instead of installing smaller windows. .

wise architecture MU:M building south korea designboom
the distinct shape of the entrance adds movement and flow to the otherwise plain black complex 

 

 

considering the area’s cold climate condition, the building is designed with an introverted approach. in the atrium of the building, a vertical circulation runs throughout the whole building and a terraced vertical garden meets it at right angles. the building’s exterior is formed in a rectangular shape whereas its interior is composed of a T-shaped atrium and ㄷ-shape office area. this specific layout enables light from the outside to come deep inside, through the atrium, to bright up the whole area. in order to still enoy the sens of outdoors, theatrium garden allows people a brief rest without having to leave the complex. 

wise architecture MU:M building south korea designboom
night view with warm colored and discrete lighting

wise architecture MU:M building south korea designboom
the M:UM building is conceived as an introverted design due to cold climate conditions in the area 

wise architecture MU:M building south korea designboom
the walls are entirely covered with black brick, but natural lighting brights up the space thorugh large windows

wise architecture MU:M building south korea designboom
view from the stairs

wise architecture MU:M building south korea designboom
facade of the  building showing the distorted approach 

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom