A flagship store and teahouse for Korean skincare giants Sulwhasoo, set in Seoul's historic Gahoe-dong neighbourhood — where ONE O ONE architects chose clay-plastered walls and ceilings in soft tones to echo the district's traditional hanok architecture.
products in use
about this project
The “Gahoe-dong DUZIP” restoration project focuses on rejuvenating Seoul’s historic city center, restoring its urban function while highlighting its cultural importance in the city’s development over the centuries.
The project integrates 1930s hanoks and 1960s yangoks—past residential structures—into the contemporary era, reinterpreting these historic residences through a creative restoration inspired by the UNESCO Venice Charter. This approach preserves the genius loci while reflecting Seoul’s modern housing evolution, establishing a seamless dialogue between tradition and modernity.
Gahoe-dong’s seasonal landscape becomes a metaphorical journey (Ilboilgyeong, “one step, one view”), where hanok and yangok merge traditional aesthetics with modern design.
Led by Choi Wook of ONE O ONE Architects, the Gahoe-dong DUZIP project emphasizes the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, harmonizing innovation with tradition. The use of MATTEOBRIONI clay finishes for walls and ceilings reflects not only a commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness but also emphasizes the connection with Korean traditions and the earth itself. In fact, these clay materials regulate humidity and temperature, enhance the quality of indoor comfort, and integrate seamlessly with the existing architecture, aligning with Choi Wook’s philosophy of harmonizing indoor and outdoor spaces and blending tradition with modernity. By embracing environmentally responsible materials while reinterpreting historic structures for contemporary use, “Gahoe-dong DUZIP” stands as an example of a holistic approach to architecture—balancing aesthetic harmony, historical integrity, and environmental sustainability.
Photography: Kim Inchul, courtesy of ONE O ONE factory
In real spaces
