Came into existence in 2008 by Hwan-Woo Oh and Jung-Gon Kim, Betwin Space Design revolves around the idea of creating experiences between ‘space and people’, ‘people and objects’, and ‘brand and design’. Their projects range from commercial offices, stores, and offices to restaurants and residential interiors.
1. CJ Azit, Seoul South Korea
Area : 388 m²
Year : 2016
Acting as an art incubator since its opening in 2009, CJ azit is a theater space for artists to support their art and communicate with an audience. Its flexibility emerges with the concept of Culture-tainer (Culture+Container) which allows the space and the seats to be rearranged and transformed as per their desired usage. The architects define the lighting container box as hard but soft, bright yet dark.
2. Sapoon Sapoon Cafe, South Korea
Area : 220 m²
Year : 2016
Sapoon Sapoon, a compound word of Saponin (the main ingredient of red ginseng in Korea), and a spoon has been designed with natural elements to create an experience. The design brings the sense of a ‘light and refreshing state of body and minds’ by the use of different materials which when brought together create an immersive experience.
3. Oasis Veterinary , SuWon-Si, South Korea
Area : 220 m²
Year : 2016
A veterinary clinic for orthopedics and neurosurgery specializing in nervous diseases and serious external wounds, Oasis is based on the philosophy “to restore function, to save lives and to contribute to healthy coexistence of animal and human”. Its simplicity is magnified by its planning keeping in mind Mies van der Rohe’s “Less is More” and Louis Sullivan’s “Form follows function”. Patient owners can observe all the processes involved from examination and treatment to operation and research.
4. Jam2go , Seoul, South Korea
Area : 1159 m²
Year : 2017
Looking at visual media just like a take-out, jam2go as the name suggests is a cultural space where anyone can produce video while seeing, listening, eating, and enjoying. With its equipment systems for various processes, it has studio spaces that are available for rent. It controls its traffic by differentiating access between artists and the general public.
5. Dr. Jart+ Flagship Store , Seoul, South Korea
Area : 109 m²
Year : 2016
Combining inspiration from art and culture with dermatology Dr. Jart+ approaches beauty by keeping in mind the purest elements of healthy beauty, water, air, and light. It stands out in its planning to be a comfortable and clean space in contrast with the environmental pollution experienced outside. Keeping the existing structure intact it explores its air conditioning system and ducts in the form of a feature that connects all floors. Visitors enter the space through an air shower booth created to keep the ‘outside’, outside, and then explore the program.
6. IOPE Lab Flagship, Jung Gu, South Korea
Area : 396 m²
Year : 2020
Offering a customized treatment, IOPE Lab provides innovative services and solutions to its customers where it studies the timelines of one’s skin condition. This is symbolized in its design concept as well to curate a similar experience for its customers.
7. Spyder Haven Store, Namyangju-Si, South Kore
Area : 224 m²
Year : 2020
Reviving offline shops post COVID-19, Spyder haven transforms itself into complex sports and a cultural space along with an outlet. Emphasizing its slogan ‘Limitless’ it explores the idea of a spider that challenges limits. Its identity is infused in the store’s design by an atypical shape of pipe structures in the form of a spider’s web.
8. Kwanpen Boutique, Cheongdam-dong, Seoul
Area : 99 m²
Year : 2010
This boutique in Seoul was designed for the Singapore brand Kwanpen to showcase their crocodile skin handbags which are symbolized in their facade in the form of irregular-shaped prisms. The space inside is kept rather subtle, emphasizing the products to stand out which then is achieved by creating a gallery-like experience where the products become the work of art on display.
9. Samsung Digital Plaza by Betwin Space Design, Yongin – South Korea
Area : 1255 m²
Year : 2010
Catering to its facade and interior design, Betwin Space approaches this Samsung Digital plaza with high ceilings and pre-molded metal panels cladding. The arrangement of spaces is such that each section showcases a different line of products from Samsung home with different living spaces as backdrops.
10. Hyundai Department Pangyo-Uplex, Seongnam-Si, South Korea
Area : 4065 m²
Year : 2022
Consisting of the main building and a mall which is connected by the means of a square, the concept here is ‘time-collage’ which explores the idea of a third place and creates coherent experiences of the past and the future, reflected in its design elements. The square plays its role as a ‘passage’ exploring varied material palettes.
11. SMEG Flagship Store, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul
Area: 1019 m²
Year : 2021
Bringing in the concept of minimalism to represent the brand’s identity, the design is approached where the products are inferred as art pieces. The space is categorized into various zones across three floors. On each floor is an ‘attraction’ zone which then moves into a gallery zone, a kitchen house zone, and a deep counseling zone.
12. Remicone, Seoul, South Korea
Collaborating with YNL design for graphic identity, Betwin Space designs the interiors of this unique ice cream shop ‘remicone’. The packaging reflects its inspiration from the instruments used in a laboratory like beakers such as cups and pipettes to serve syrups. The counter is a conveyor belt that sits above a life-like replica display of the brand’s ice creams.
13. Kappo Akii, Seoul, South Korea
Area:380 m²
Year: 2021
A rather multi-textured experience, Kappo Akii is a set of varying visual atmospheres. Each area has a significant effect on the guests as they transition from one space into the other. The entrance which is a bar area has an art installation by artist Lee Tae-soo which then sets the way into the restaurant.
14. CheongKwangJang Hub, Seoul, South Korea
Area: 43.4 m²
Year: 2017
Symbolizing the idea of ideal building placement, ‘Baesanimsoo’ CheongKwanJang HUB store is a stop for a variety of red ginseng products. The store reflects its idea of health as a luxury in its interiors with the use of materials that symbolize the concept of the perfect location, backdrop of mountains and waterfront.
References:
ArchDaily. 2022. Betwin Space Design. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/office/betwin-space-design?ad_name=project-specs&ad_medium=single>
Betwin.kr. 2022. Betwin Space. [online] Available at: <http://www.betwin.kr/sub/work/work.asp>
