Namdaemun (Sungnyemun) in Seoul has been regarded as one of the four gates since ancient times, and it is not only a physical gateway to the city, but also a spiritual symbol. Apart from the transportation to greet the envoys and connect the three southern provinces (Jeolla, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang), Namdaemun conveys the profound meaning of "passage" through traditional ceremonies such as the rain prayer festival, symbolizing the flow of Yin and Yang through opening and closing.

As The Times have changed, the concept of "passage" has also evolved. Today, the Seoul Station near Namdaemun has taken on its historic mission, making it an important hub of the modern transportation network and continuing to play the role of the entrance to the city. This blend of history and modernity has laid the foundation for Seoul's unique urban charm.

Core of Coexistence

The charm of Seoul lies in its coexistence. Towering modern buildings and a well-ordered transportation system, juxtaged with the four great city gates, stand in stark contrast, and it is this interweaving of the old and the modern, the traditional and the progressive, that makes Seoul such an inclusive and intriguing city.

Aseul Seoul takes the concept of "coexistence" and extends cultural integration into the design language. The brand embodies the concept of cultural symbiosis through the combination of Western cuisine and Korean flavor. EVBR Studio hopes to reinterpret the space, integrating tradition and modernity organically to create a new experience scene.

The Visual Focus of the City

Located on the top floor of a 13-story building, the restaurant is a space surrounded by floor-to-ceiling Windows on three sides, offering excellent views of the city. From the entrance, you can see Seoul Station and Namdaemun on the right. This time the button makes full use of the advantages of the architectural view, so that the height of the space becomes more visually open.

The building where the restaurant is located, from the outside, has a smaller volume and lower density compared with other surrounding buildings. However, the sense of sparsity brought about by this low density makes it particularly prominent in urban night scenes. Inspired by this, EVBR Studio came up with the concept of "a traditional Hanok roof over the top of the building" and created iconic visual elements inspired by the symbolic form of Namdaemun.

Inspiration Moment

Building on the original idea of a "Hanok roof", the designers explored further, transforming the shape of the roof into a translucent ceiling structure with lighting functions. It not only adds a sense of hierarchy to the space, but also creates a warm dining atmosphere in the tall top-floor environment.

Regarding the formation of the concept, the designer said: "I was impressed by a passing of the dusk - Namdaemun shining in the spotlight like an urban beacon. It inspired us to design a core element with symbolic and visual appeal that would shine through the space like Namdaemun."

This 10-meter-long Hanok shaped light installation is made of Barrisol glossy materials, which not only acts as a visual focal point of the space, but also acts as a sensory regulator of the ambient atmosphere. From the outside, the building looks like a glowing roof floating above Seoul Station, showing the artistic effect of blending modern design with traditional symbols.

The Story of Time

During this period, EVBR Studio contrasted and analyzed modernity with tradition, ensuring that modern elements were presented in linear forms, grey concrete and metallic textures; Traditional elements are expressed through proportions, curves and the natural textures of wood and stone. These conversations of materials and forms form the basis for spatial coexistence.

As a bridge between past and future, tradition and innovation, Aseul Seoul is built on the skyline of Seoul, gently telling the story of time between light and shadow. It is a condensed cultural coexistence field, but also a visual and emotional resonance, so that we can feel the watch of Namdaemun and the pulsation of Seoul Station, as well as the continuation and sublimation of the urban fabric in the space.