Nature has always been idiosyncratic when it comes to its appearance, be it the foreplay of warm colors through rocks and pebbles with bare minimum vegetation or the pale cream to golden colored sands and bluish hues of the deep oceans or the entire greens of the forest contrasted with the sandalwood brown and light greys background. Gaudi’s architecture exhibited stunning color palettes, showing his learnings from living creatures and nature. Hence, it somehow gives us a lot only when we observe and experiment. Experiencing nature in its purest form allows us to be more observant and more comfortable, which helps us better contemplate. Like, imagine working in the peaceful shade of a tree with a small pond displaying the water lilies with the tranquil chirping of the birds, or how about a balcony that shows you the long and never-ending walkaway of the ocean? You might be excited already, but many among us still don’t have access to such places for permanent work. Hence, to give you an inspiration of particular intent but with a different style, I am introducing SKIN1004 Flagship Store in Seoul in this article. Covering the distinctive presence of the interiors as if you entered a rock-cave architecture in a saturated landscape, the architectural structure is a cosmetic store.
About the Project: SKIN1004 Flagship Store.
| Architects | LMTLS |
| Area | 350 m² |
| Photographs | Swan Park |
| Design Architects | Daeho Lee (Partner in charge), Jaeyual Lee, Beomki Lee |
| Architecture and Interior Design | LMTLS |
| City | Jung-gu, South Korea |
| Type | Commercial |
SKIN1004 is in the vibrant heart of Myeong-dong, Seoul. The project shows an essence of creativity while blending modern architecture with natural aesthetics. However, please keep in mind that this project is not an example of Biomimetics, as the structure only uses a sustainable design inspired by nature for a tranquil environment. There is an essence of differentiation, which lies in the meticulous planning of the space while serving a dual motive- shaping the brand’s identity and creating an experience for the public. It is literally giving a message loud and clear that gone are the days of cliche and common green hues to represent nature; it’s time when we adore the “untouched nature” in its different forms. In this cosmetic store design, we see rich brown and beige tones, just like the autumn season having rocks, pebbles, and sand to contrast the bustling city vibe with a peaceful escape to the shoppers. Let’s step inside the structure for more details.
Inside the Project: Ground Floor.
From the exterior view, the structure doesn’t look less than a cave; the only difference is that it does have clear glass windows to sneak inside. The facade of this store portrays an intense untouched rock texture while maintaining entrances and windows through brass metal. The SKIN1004 Flagship Store shows the idea of merging untouched nature with cosmetic products through creativity and advanced technology. The rocky entrance itself is like a three-dimensional object, consisting of curved finishes in windows and doors, just like the Greeks. There is the use of bare minimum light reflecting the surface, giving it an illuminating appearance, as if it sparkles through the sun’s rays. When you enter the store, the space instantly invites you with warm hues, spacious extensions, and simplicity. Architects wittingly placed iceberg-sized rock sculptures, surrounded by small grey pebbles, near the middle space. The wise move kept the ground floor space busy while reminiscing about desert or rocky landscapes. A smooth oval void space appears above this rock, indicating some light from above. Furthermore, grey pebbles, dried pampas grasses, and dark-golden dried vegetation run down the entire length of one wall of the space, creating a striking effect. In addition to the exhibition space on the first floor, there is a lounge and sales area on the second floor where products can be tested and social events can be held. In the warm brown colors reminiscent of desert and rocky landscapes, the first-floor interior simulates an organic walking trail as you enter the building through its external rock façade. It offers an immersive experience navigating through the theme of “untouched nature,” with reed landscapes, swaying water waves, natural scenes on media walls, and rough rock textures. The windows and doors have smooth corners to depict ease and visually pleasing.
Moving to the Second Floor of the SKIN1004 Flagship Store.
As you step towards the staircase, you are instantly greeted with the reed-forest vegetation. There is literally a similar kind of vegetation on both sides of the stairs, giving a promising look to the viewer. The second floor is where the shoppers directly experience and purchase the cosmetic products, offered by the company. It also consists of a metallic warm-hue and a large table with one stone leg, keeping the similar effect of bare nature with modernism. It is still visually striking through the void space of the first floor to see the impressive rock sculpture from the first floor. Furthermore, lighting fixtures mounted on the ceiling of the second floor cascade onto the rock sculpture, enhancing the overall ambiance of the building.
Final Words.
The SKIN1004 Flagship Store is terrific with its creativity, architecture, and color contrasts. There is a very well-planning of the structure, even when it comes to the interiors. The large rock sculpture, warm hues, and greyish pebbles with the reed-forest vegetation, all give a perfect atmosphere to an escape in the bustling city life.
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