The Galleria Department Store project had two main goals. The first was a new façade that projects a lively, ever changing surface. In total 4330 glass discs are mounted on the existing concrete skin of the building. The glass discs include special dicroic foil generating a mother-of-pearl effect during the day, whilst during the night each glass disc is lit by LED lights which are able to be programmed to create a multitude of effects. The second goal was the renovation of the interior into a luxurious integrated design. Inspired by the catwalk the customer finds himself immersed in the world of fashion while moving through the generous corridors. The interior design focuses on the elimination of superfluous details and introduces new integrated Big Details.

Client: Hanwha Stores Co., LTD
Location: Hanwha Stores Co., Ltd. / 515, Apgujung-dong/ Kangnam-ku/ Seoul 135-110/ Korea
Building area: Façade 3.278 m2 / Interior=21.986 m2
Program: façade design, refurbishment of interior, design of interior furniture
Status/phase: realized December 2004

Design Architect: [Schematic Design and Design Development phase] UNStudio: Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos with Astrid Piber, Ger Gijzen, Cristina Bolis, Markus Hudert, Colette Parras, Arjan van der Bliek, Christian Veddeler, Albert Gnodde, Richard Crofts, Barry Munster, Mafalda Bothelo, Elke Uitz, Harm Wassink
Design Advisors: Structural engineers: Arup & Partners, Arjan Habraken (Schematic Design) Lighting Design: Arup Lighting, Rogier van der Heide IALD , Simone Collon Wayfinding Design: Bureau Mijksenaar, Martijn Geerdes (Design Development)
Executive Architects: Executive architects Façade Design: RAC – Rah Architecture Consulting Executive architects
Interior Design: Kesson International Executive
Lighting Design: Eon/SLD
Contractors: Façade construction: Dongshin C G E Co. Ltd, Dongshin Glass Co. Ltd. Façade Lighting: Xilver B.V.
Interior construction: Hanwha Engineering & Construction Corp. Façade construction: Hanwha Engineering & Construction Corp.