Galleria Department Store, designed by OMA, has opened in Gwanggyo, a new town just south of Seoul. The Galleria’s stone-like appearance makes it a natural point of gravity for public life in Gwanggyo.
Appearing as a sculpted stone emerging from the ground, the store is a visual anchor in the city
The store has a textured mosaic stone façade that evokes the nature of the neighboring park. Appearing as a sculpted stone emerging from the ground, the store is a visual anchor in the city. A public route is excavated from the stone volume and connects the public sidewalk to a roof garden—including both retail and cultural activities. It introduces an innovative element to the traditional typology of a department store. The public route has a multifaceted glass façade that contrasts with the opacity of the stone. Through the glass, retail and cultural activities inside are revealed to the city’s passers-by, while visitors in the interior acquire new vantage points to experience Gwanggyo. Formed with a sequence of cascading terraces, the public loop offers spaces for exhibitions and performances.
Image Credit: Hong Sung Jun
