U.LAB Atelier in Seoul by Design Studio U.LAB

U.Lab design studio were on the hunt for an old building with character and history to transform into their own Atelier. They found it in a 1931 former rice mill, built during the time of Japanese colonial rule in Seoul. Besides minor repairs and insulation, U.Lab did not want to significantly alter the existing structure. Rather, they added delicate changes to create more functional space while preserving the shell of the building.

The designers were inspired by Tanizaki Junichiro’s book ‘The Praise of Shadows’, taking away the concept that shady spaces, neither too dark nor too bright, amplify imagination and creativity. Thus, lighting became the most important design element, with U.Lab building a glowing, internally lit wall in the centre of the space that provides soft illumination while minimizing external light sources.

“We tried to make space which enables all team members to be lost in meditation,” explain U.Lab.

A double layer of hemp cloth quilt comprises the 12m central wall, the porous material allowing just the right amount of light to filter through. Embroidered with geometric patterns, the traditional material reflects the century-old history of the building and adapts to seasonality and mood. The colour of the light within can be altered to different shades.

“We conceived that the hemp quilt arouses the natural light and touch of sunshine in the morning, which can be harmonized with this nearly 100 years old building,” says U.Lab.

The central wall divides the interior into two separate spaces, one side for concentration and the other for communication. The concentration space houses employee work stations, while the communication side is open plan with a kitchen island and 8m long communal table. Besides the glowing central wall, led strip lights run the length of the perimeter, highlighting the linear nature of the interior.