in cheurl kim archium architects studio visit

earlier this month designboom visited the studio of korean firm archium architects co.inc

in-cheurl kim portrait © designboom

principal architect in-cheurl kim originally founded inje architects in 1986 which he later renamed to archium architects in 1996. the firm works on various commercial, residential and cultural buildings. archium gained international acclaim for their building urban hive in 2008.

woongjin.com building, 2006 image © designboom

the woongjin.com building located in seoul, korea. the facade is made of floor to ceiling glass windows. the open design includes courtyards and meeting areas between offices. a main feature of the building is its open roof top garden.

models in the studio image © designboom

woongjin.com building, 2006 image © designboom

woongjin.com building photo by park young chea

model of urban hive image © designboom

urban hive image © designboom

located in the business district surrounding sinnonhyeon station in seoul is urban hive. the 17 storey office building features 3371 holes that dot its exterior giving its appearance of a beehive. urban hive was built one story at a time by pouring concrete, giving its one structure appearance.

the structure of quarto is a repetition of four long and narrow buildings. it is finished using gray dryvit to give the neighborhood a unified look. the interior and lighting has been designed compactly to compensate for the limited space allotted.