Gansam has participated as the local design partner in the Centre Pompidou Hanwha, which is set to open on June 4 at the 63 Building in Yeouido, Seoul. 

 

Centre Pompidou Hanwha is a multi-purpose cultural complex developed through a partnership between the Hanwha Cultural Foundation and the Centre Pompidou in France. The project transforms the annex of the 63 Building through a comprehensive remodeling.

 

The architectural design was led by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte of Wilmotte & Associés, with Gansam serving as the local design partner. Gansam carried out structural and regulatory reviews, as well as adjustments to constructability, detailing, and material finishes, translating the original design into a buildable solution aligned with local codes and site conditions.

 

Based on the concept of “subtraction,” Wilmotte reinterpreted the former banquet halls, wedding venues, and conference facilities by hollowing out the existing interior and revealing exhibition spaces within the original steel structure. By leveraging the inherent potential of the structure, the space has been reorganized into two large-scale exhibition halls of approximately 1,650 square meters each, designed as modular environments capable of accommodating a wide range of exhibition formats.

 

 

The exterior is conceived as a monumental “box of light,” contrasting with the verticality of the golden 63 Building tower. The white horizontal mass extending along the podium appears as a soft band of light during the day, while at night it transforms into a luminous horizon along the Han River, reminiscent of a beacon within the urban landscape.

 

 

Inside, the rhythm established by the exterior continues seamlessly. Grey limestone and light grey terrazzo form a calm spatial backdrop, while curved translucent glass unfolds along the circulation path like a gentle wave. This interplay of materials and light creates a cohesive and serene exhibition environment, guiding visitors through the space as a continuous narrative.

 

 

This remodeling project presented significant technical challenges, as it required the phased demolition and reinforcement of the annex and basement structures while maintaining the operation of the main tower. Given that the building was originally constructed in the 1980s, outdated structural systems, MEP infrastructure, and fire safety and egress standards had to be comprehensively upgraded to meet current regulations. In addition, discrepancies between existing drawings and on-site conditions required continuous on-site coordination and adaptive problem-solving.

 

The successful completion of the project was supported by Gansam’s extensive experience with the 63 Building, having been involved for over two decades in its ongoing renewal projects, including the main tower refurbishment, annex expansion, and the design of facilities such as the aquarium and duty-free shops.

 

Lee seunghan, the lead architect at Gansam, stated, “Centre Pompidou Hanwha is a project that establishes a new cultural base in Yeouido by introducing a horizontal ‘box of light’ beneath the iconic golden tower of the 63 Building. As the local design partner, we focused on carefully bridging the gap between Wilmotte’s design intent and Korea’s environmental, technical, and regulatory conditions, translating the concept into a built reality based on our long-standing experience with the 63 Building.”