international design practice stpmj has completed the refurbishment of a popular 80s residential building type in korea to form ‘salon guui’. located in guuidong, seoul, the team has transformed the 3 story structure to create a mixed-use program that combines commerical and residential space. with minimal interventions made to the existing architecture, the project carefully reveals the inner layers and hidden materials of the building and its history.

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

south west facing façade 

all images courtesy of stpmj 

 

 

the program of the refurbished building comprises of an office in the semi-basement and 1st floor, and a single family residence for the owner on the 2nd floor. from outside, colored stainless steel panels that cover the old stair handrail and guardrail wrap around the existing building, hinting at the new intervention by stpmj. inside, the elements and finishes of the old building are laid bare and exposed, giving the interior a raw aesthetic. 

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

south east facing façade 

 

 

upon entering the residence on the 2nd floor, a large double height space brings light in while exposed plumbing highlights the history of the structure, revealing the inner workings of the building. in the office floors, this raw interior is continued, with exposed brick walls and rough edges. on the 1st floor, a 150 mm x 150 mm brass grid filled with black concrete and dark gray aggregates signals a contemporary intervention while also harking back to the typical terrazzo floor with 900mm brass grid in 80’s.

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

the office at semi basement level

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

the office at semi basement level

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

new staircase

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

salon and office space on the 1st floor

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

salon and office space on the 1st floor

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

salon and office space on the 1st floor

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

brass grid with black concrete finish on the 1st floor

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

an internal window frame

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

double height entrance with exposed old plumbing on the 2nd floor

stpmj adds a metal staircase to the front of salon guui in seoul, korea designboom

the south east elevation at night

 

 

project info:

 

project name: ‘salon guui’

program: mix-used (commercial + residential)

location: guuidong, seoul, korea

design: stpmj 

project team: seung teak lee, mi jung lim, jeong eun kim

area: 2107.57 ft2 (195.8 m2)

structural engineering: hangil structure

client: private

completion: may 2019

 

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: lynne myers | designboom