Sustainability was one of the most important design criteria when planning the new headquarters of the South Korean cosmetics group Amorepacific in Seoul. The building, designed by David Chipperfield Architects, uses durable and beautiful materials and efficient technologies that need significantly less energy, water and materials than standard Korean building practices.

In a multidisciplinary collaboration between our Berlin and London offices, we provided the structural engineering together with vertical transport, building services, façade, building physics, fire, acoustics and lighting designs. 

As part of the lighting design, we worked with David Chipperfield Architects to develop a modular luminaire system that can be flexibly and versatilely adapted to future uses.

The design of Amorepacific’s new headquarters in Seoul demonstrates a pioneering approach to sustainable building design in an urban context. By using innovative technologies and sustainable design practices, it sets the standard for future building projects that offer both environmental and economic benefits and make a positive contribution to the global sustainability agenda.

Resource efficient building services

To reduce the building’s energy consumption, state-of-the-art technologies for solar and geothermal energy as well as an innovative ice storage system were applied. All systems for heating, cooling, and ventilation are equipped with energy recovery devices and sub-meters monitoring the energy consumption of the entire building. The processing of rainwater, treatment of wastewater treatment and water efficiency fittings all combine to reduce water consumption.

The building uses durable and beautiful materials and efficient technologies that need significantly less energy, water and materials than standard Korean building practices. © Namsun Lee
Vertical fins, designed according to interdisciplinary aspects regarding their geometry and arrangement, optimise shade and natural light and reduce energy consumption. © Noshe

Façades with natural shading elements

The façade of the building illustrates one of the key components of the sustainable design. Together with the architects we developed a skin that integrates both shading and ventilation. Vertical fins, designed according to interdisciplinary aspects regarding their geometry and arrangement, optimise shade and natural light and reduce energy consumption. The façade thus creates an optimum indoor climate with low energy consumption.

Modular luminaires for a wide range of applications

Together with David Chipperfield Architects, we have designed a sustainable and modular luminaire system with a globally unique, interchangeable optical lens and state-of-the-art LED technology especially for the new building. 
The innovative product can adopt for versatile future uses, with more than 20 different performances. It allows full replacement of parts and easy adjustments to changing project requirements. It thus reflects the principles of the circular economy.

We worked with David Chipperfield Architects to develop a modular luminaire system that can be flexibly and versatilely adapted to future uses. © Noshe
Their globally unique interchangeable optical lenses combine total internal reflection with refraction at its underside. All luminaire system components can be fully replaced. © Viabizzuno
Each lens produces a different light distribution creating various light atmospheres. With the luminaire system, 12 different light distributions and 30 combinations are possible. © Viabizzuno
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David Chipperfield Architects / Viabizzuno