Experience the Interplay of Light and Space at Seoul Photographic Art Museum

Introducing the Seoul Photographic Art Museum: A Celebration of Light and Space

The Seoul Photographic Art Museum is a unique architectural project that celebrates the interplay between light and space. Designed by AIDIA STUDIO, the museum is a tribute to the diverse effects and atmospheres that light can create when it travels through different materials. The building is crafted in a cubical shape, lifted on the corners to form a triangulated lobby that welcomes visitors into the space. The journey through the museum is a mesmerizing experience that showcases different light atmospheres, each in tune with the specific purpose of the space.

The Art of Dispersion: Exploring the Facade

The façade of the Seoul Photographic Art Museum is a study in dispersion. The outermost layer of the skin is made up of acrylic prisms that capture and break sunlight into its constituent colors. The prismatic panels increase their tapering angle and lengths as they rise into the building to maximize the amount of light they reflect, refract, and disperse. On the other hand, a shading panel with a mirror finish coating at the inner-end of the façade system reduces the amount of light on each level, shielding the galleries of the museum from direct glare and harmful UV rays while providing diffuse light optimum for the artworks and their observation by the visitors. The changing light quality and intensity through the day and the year provide an ever-changing glow to the museum, a chameleonic skin changing constantly the character of the building.

The Site: A Public Space for Reflection

The Seoul Photographic Art Museum is set back on the site, opening a compact plaza at the front of the museum. The public space is articulated with the pedestrian street and framed by both the SPAM and the RSM. The open square features two shallow pools reflecting the intricate patterns of the façade, and in between them, a sunken courtyard sets the stage for performances, artwork display, or simply acting as an extension of the museum café. The building is designed to be a landmark that invites visitors to reflect and contemplate the interplay between light and space.

The Interiors: A Contrast of Black and White

The interiors of the Seoul Photographic Art Museum are a study in contrast. The museum foyer and distribution lobbies are all cladded in black reflective back painted glass resembling photographic film, while the galleries are opaque white lighting boxes with white seamless terrazzo flooring allowing full flexibility of artwork display. The museum is equipped with a raised floor system that allows for an underfloor ventilation system. This is a more sustainable way to ventilate a tall space and frees the ceiling for a more refined roof light system. The galleries feature tall sliding entrance doors that can be closed during exhibition preparation times, ensuring that galleries can be compartmentalized and worked on without affecting the operation of other areas of the museum.

In conclusion, the Seoul Photographic Art Museum is a unique architectural project that celebrates the interplay between light and space. The museum is designed to be a journey through different light atmospheres, each in tune with the specific purpose of the space. The building is a tribute to the diverse effects and atmospheres that light can create when it travels through different materials. The museum is a landmark that invites visitors to reflect and contemplate the interplay between light and space, making it a must-visit destination for art and architecture enthusiasts alike.

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