The 'Cheongdam Upper House,' built by Shinwon Comprehensive Development next to Cheongdam Park, has a selling price of 5.5 to 6 billion KRW and a rental price of 4.1 to 4.5 billion KRW. While many top star celebrities live in 'Hyosung Villa Cheongdam 101,' which began occupancy in March last year, many families of conglomerate heads reside in the Cheongdam Upper House.
The 'Cheongdam Upper House,' completed by Shinwon Comprehensive Development in December 2019 at 64-1 Cheongdam-dong (site area 2,156.2㎡, 652.25 pyeong) with three basement floors and seven above-ground floors (total floor area 9,484.63㎡, 2,869.1 pyeong), consists of 18 units with three households per floor. The 6th and 7th floors feature duplex penthouses with three units. The basement level one houses residential fitness facilities and management offices, with some areas forming duplexes with the ground floor units. The underground parking lot on levels two and three can accommodate a total of 76 vehicles, allowing more than four cars per household. It's a transit-oriented development located just a four-minute walk (290m) from Cheongdam Station and adjacent to Cheongdam Park, providing a green living environment.
If constructing a building is like dressing a plot of land, remodeling or interior design can be seen as dressing a building. In imagination, one dresses the building that will become the 'Upper House' in various outfits. The nuances, meanings, and values change depending on what outfit it wears. Fashion, as a means of dressing, is perceived beyond its functional role as a means of self-expression. Being the most external element, fashion is designed with others in mind. Although personal, it is exposed to the public, making fashion and architecture quite similar. This contemplation was inspired by the 1991 project 'Wrapped Reichstag' by land artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
The Reichstag in Berlin, the first parliament building of the German Empire, was a symbol of the Nazi regime and the Cold War, marked by the Berlin Wall. In 1971, a decade after the Berlin Wall's installation, land artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude proposed wrapping the parliament building with fabric to the governments of the UK, the US, France, the Soviet Union, and Germany. Given that the Allies (UK, US, France) were stationed in West Germany and the Soviets in East Germany after World War II, the proposal was unlikely to be accepted. Eighteen years later, after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Christo and Jeanne-Claude seized the opportunity and proposed the wrapping project again. The proposal was approved through a parliamentary vote in 1994, and the project commenced the following year. In 1995, the artists covered the Reichstag with silver fabric and secured it with blue ropes.
During the two weeks the artwork was on display, it attracted five million tourists. The building, once a symbol of the Nazis and the Cold War, gained renewed attention through this transformation and became a symbol of Germany's democracy post-reunification. Although this project might seem like a one-time event, it exemplifies how serious contemplation and implementation of the exterior (skin) can convey significant meanings to people.
Similar to the 'Wrapped Reichstag' project, everyday events can change the personal significance of a place without altering the location itself. Different exhibitions at the same gallery, films screened at the cinema, and concerts at a music hall all provide varying experiences based on their content. The primary function of remodeling or interior design is to offer visual novelty through changes in the exterior, but these changes can also lead to altered or renewed experiences of the space.
Rotating the literal meaning of 'upper,' which denotes 'the top part of,' by 90 degrees in a diagram results in 'left' or 'right.' Extending one end to the opposite side forms an enclosing 'skin.' The concept of skin should not be limited to visual aspects. When deciding on the project name 'Upper House,' this broader concept of skin was considered. The name 'UPPER' reflects STRX's stance against structurally fixed modern residential spaces, aiming to provide an experience that allows full enjoyment of private spaces.
Returning from the brand name to the building, we dressed the Upper House in a rock outfit. It appears as a massive rock at the foot of a hill, while maintaining the building's form with a rough texture on the surface. This approach aimed to distinguish it with a restrained presence, different from other communal housing, while not disrupting the surrounding landscape. The sturdy impression of the building also served to reassure early occupants who faced various challenges.
3. ART PROJECT
Considering the 'different personal experiences in the same space' mentioned earlier, we pondered how to add value to the Upper House. We hoped it would transcend mere residential space and stimulate intellectual and cultural aspects. Therefore, we invited contemporary artists to install works throughout the building, calling this the art project. The art project continues beyond the first phase of the Upper House, with various artworks in subsequent buildings.
The exterior of the first phase of the Upper House comprises Goheung stone cubes (200mm in width, length, and height) split with water pressure, preserving the natural patterns. Unlike factory-produced uniform patterns, this gives the building a more natural appearance. The facade visible from the road and the left side are designed with this stone, creating a solid exterior. The sloped roof is also designed with the same material, giving the building the appearance of a solid mass. In contrast, the right facade and rear, enclosing the inner courtyard, are finished with white paint to hint at the building's softer interior. This aimed to brighten the atmosphere of the private courtyard space for residents.
HISTORY
The first Upper House project began somewhat accidentally due to a friend's suggestion and persuasion. However, once we decided to proceed, we developed a strategy focused on customization, which fortunately proved successful. Starting with the first phase in Bangbae-dong, there are now three buildings in Bangbae-dong and one in Cheongdam-dong, with a new one currently under construction in Namsan.
UPCOMING
Starting in Bangbae-dong, Upper House continues to grow. We are currently preparing new concept Upper House projects in Hongcheon and Jeju, combined with culture. Upper House aims to evolve from a 'Seoul-based residential brand' to a 'high-end lifestyle brand encompassing residence and culture.'
No comments:
Post a Comment