Brighten Hannam
HIGH-END RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX
Apartment living in contemporary cities is often defined by anonymity and uniformity. Brighten Hannam challenges this norm by asking: can collective housing embrace the individuality of its residents? Positioned as both an architectural experiment and a reimagining of urban life, the project explores how personal identity can coexist within a shared residential format.
Located in Hannam, a district where high and subcultures intersect, the building responds to the area's complex and layered urban fabric. Rather than reducing “high-end” living to the use of premium materials, Brighten Hannam focuses on creating environments that reflect and respect the values and lifestyles of its residents.
Three key architectural strategies underpin this vision.
First, the Biophilic Cube, planned for every unit, serves as a transitional space between indoor and outdoor—offering a canvas for personal expression within, while breaking down the façade vertically on the outside. Second, flexible unit layouts accommodate diverse lifestyles, allowing residents to choose configurations that best suit their needs.
Third, the building’s red metal exterior panels provide both a sleek aesthetic and a sense of permanence—offering a bold yet timeless presence in Seoul’s ever-evolving urban context.
The building comprises 14 floors of residences, 2 levels of commercial space, and 8 underground levels (including shared amenities). Through volumetric variation and vertical articulation, the design maximizes daylight, preserves privacy, and opens panoramic views toward the Han River.
Ultimately, Brighten Hannam proposes a new vision for collective housing—fluid, adaptive, and deeply personal.
Project: Residential, Commercial
Size: 31,200 sqm
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Client: ShinYoung
Collaborators: Urban Agency, Kwonwon, Integ, Parkkim
Photographer: Changmook Kim
Type: Invited Competition, Completion 2025
Team: Heechan Park, Henning Stüben, Minjae Kwon, Kostas Poulopoulos, Scott Grbavac, Doohyeong Lee, Borja Santurino, Jakub Smiech
