mirroring steel coats carlyn showroom's fluid curved interiors in seoul

Fluid circulation organizes Carlyn Showroom by ARTARIAN

The Carlyn Showroom, designed by ARTARIAN, translates the brand’s core concept, ‘A Space of Affection,’ into a spatial framework emphasizing comfort, fluidity, and material contrast. Carlyn is a designer bag label that references the modern and artistic sensibility of New York, its founding city, interpreted through a contemporary design lens. Located in Hongdae, a district in Seoul recognized for its concentration of creative professionals and cultural infrastructure, the showroom and atelier are positioned to reflect both the brand’s identity and the surrounding urban character. The spatial layout is symmetrical, with a visual dialogue established between the open showroom and the more enclosed atelier space. The two programs are divided by function but linked through spatial continuity and circulation.

The showroom employs surreal and futuristic elements through the use of organic forms, reflective materials, and controlled lighting. These design choices introduce visual distortion and establish a perceptual threshold, reinforcing the concept of spatial transition. The mirrored steel ceiling extends the visual field vertically, contributing to a sense of dimensional ambiguity. Metallic finishes and object placement create a facade-like interior that adjusts with user movement and ambient lighting.

all images courtesy of ARTARIAN

Organic forms and reflective surfaces define Carlyn Showroom

For the atelier, the design team at ARTARIAN incorporates symbolic spatial language to express the brand’s experimental approach to materials and design development. This zone operates as both a workspace and a display area, highlighting the brand’s focus on texture, form, and fabrication research. The connection between distorted space and user movement is a key compositional strategy; visitors engage with the spatial narrative indirectly before encountering the full experience upon entry.

Throughout, the integration of Carlyn’s product line with site-specific installations reinforces the brand’s aesthetic and conceptual positioning. The environment emphasizes daily familiarity elevated through material expression, enabling users to engage with the brand identity through layered spatial cues rather than didactic presentation.

the layout features a symmetrical division between the showroom and atelier spaces

organic forms and reflective surfaces define the showroom’s surreal atmosphere

fluid circulation links two distinct program zones, unifying the overall spatial experience

the atelier functions as both workspace and display zone

display elements integrate product and environment into a cohesive narrative

furniture and object placement support a dynamic interaction with the space

custom installations connect the brand’s visual identity with material context

a mirrored ceiling extends the vertical field, generating spatial ambiguity

reflective elements introduce spatial distortion and layered visual depth

project info:

name: Carlyn Showroom
designer: ARTARIAN(아트테리언)

location: Seoul, Korea