The Signiel Residence Renovation Project, located on the upper floors of Lotte World Tower, the symbol and tallest building in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a space that contains the philosophy of the client and designer Kim Sang-yoon, who wanted to blend cutting-edge architectural style, long-standing Korean tradition, the temporality and emotion of the city of Seoul, and the calm layers of Korean sentiment into everyday life. The spatial layers inspired by Hanok, the scent of raw wood permeating the space, and the city and the overlapping natural landscapes seen through the windows that change every day are not disconnected but part of continuity, creating a psychological connection between the space and the city of Seoul.
The design of Layered Seoul was inspired by the desire to create a personal sanctuary above the city that blends modern innovation with the quiet strength of Korean tradition. For the client, the vision was to harmonize the prestige of living in Seoul’s tallest landmark with an environment that offers calm, warmth, and continuity of daily life. For designer Kim Sang-yoon, the project embodies his philosophy of layering time, memory, and culture into spatial form. Drawing from the principles of Hanok architecture, he introduced raw wood textures, stone bases, and crafted elements that carry the rhythm of Korean sentiment. In doing so, the project reflects the client’s aspiration for balance between luxury and serenity, while also expressing the designer’s belief that tradition should not remain static, but evolve into new narratives for contemporary living.
Nestled within Korea’s tallest building, Layered Seoul aims to transcend the simple concept of a modern, sophisticated space and embody a Korean sensibility. While respecting the building’s cutting-edge architectural technology and structural efficiency, the interior incorporates the layered structure of a hanok, eco-friendly materials, and craftsmanship. For example, finishes that emphasize the material properties of wood and stone evoke a warm and calming resonance within the urban skyline, while the light and views streaming through the windows offer a contemporary interpretation of the openness of traditional Korean architecture, inviting nature.
The greatest challenge in achieving this balance was resolving the conflict of two languages. Within the precise structural and technical constraints of a high-rise building, it was challenging to embody the spaciousness, slowness, and craftsmanship inherent in tradition. Forcing a blend of modern luxury and traditional sensibility could have resulted in a sense of dissonance, so much time was spent fine-tuning the details to ensure a natural dialogue between the two elements. Ultimately, the solution to allowing cutting-edge and traditional to coexist without erasing each other was to center on the philosophy of layered time. Thanks to this, the space was able to achieve a harmonious balance between technology and culture, city and nature.
When you enter the living room, which is a courtyard space away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the lighting that is elaborately hidden so that the splendor is not revealed in the simplicity further maximizes the beauty of the space. The open and meditative layout that promotes natural flow and communication between light and space forms a subtle boundary while maintaining visual continuity with the vertical sliding wooden door with a bamboo motif.
The light-filled ceiling, made by combining wood and Korean paper, is reminiscent of traditional window paper and provides a sense of tranquility to the space. The quietly stacked wood grain and sentimental stones create a tactile contrast, allowing us to feel the honesty of the materials and the depth of the craftsman’s delicate touch. The furniture carefully made by the craftsman in the traditional way and the elaborate fabric panel composition throughout the space also add even more density to the space.
