This project draws from the order and proportionality of Haussmannian architecture, which emerged from Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s urban reforms in mid- to late-19th-century Paris, and reinterprets them through a contemporary lens. Just as the Haussmannian style unifies the city through refined façades, balanced proportions, rhythmic stone moldings and balconies, and interiors featuring ornate moldings, herringbone floors, and ceiling decorations that embody European aristocratic aesthetics, this project reimagines those classical principles and decorative structures through the functional design language of modern Seoul.
The structure, made of hot-rolled black steel, was deliberately corroded to reveal tonal irregularities and reactive surfaces. LED lights were integrated with transparent wiring and fixed using ordinary metal office clips, intentionally exposing utilitarian details within a refined silhouette—an expression of both historical ornamentation and contemporary structural honesty.
Uncoated black steel was oxidized to activate tonal variation and surface reactivity, halted mid-transition, and sealed with a clear matte coating. The finish preserves irregular textures, minor corrosion, and edge shifts without concealment, allowing traces of time and exposure to remain visible within the material.
