Designboom_ Heatherwick Studio unveils a rippled hourglass-shaped design for Hanwha Galleria, the famed shopping center in Seoul. The proposed design features two symmetrical crystalline buildings with illuminated atria and plant-filled rooftops. Their undulating glass facades create a soft, glistening effect during the day. This design emerged from a competition aimed at reimagining six sites in the South Korean capital. The brief called for a concept that would challenge conventional notions of luxury department stores and affirm South Korea’s growing influence as a global cultural powerhouse. The project also follows the recent announcement of the appointment of Thomas Heatherwick, the studio’s founder, as General Director of the fifth edition of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism, to be held in 2025.

Hanwha Galleria, situated at a major crossroad with views of the Han River, is located in the Apgujeong-dong neighborhood of Seoul. The project serves as a focal point between the residential and shopping districts of Gangnam and aligns with the city’s vision to revitalize the Han Riverbanks. Heatherwick Studio’s design redefines the store’s connection to the local area by transforming the façade and surrounding spaces into public areas accessible to everyone, whether they are shopping at the mall or simply enjoying the vicinity. This approach contrasts with traditional, inward-facing shopping centers, fostering a more inclusive and integrated urban environment.

‘Traditionally, department stores are quite inward facing, they feel closed off to the surrounding streets. But here we have an important intersection in Apgujeong with two buildings, east and west, that felt like an opportunity to bring people together,’ shares Neil Hubbard, partner and group leader at the British architecture studio.‘Combined with Hanwha’s ambition to bring more activity to the buildings, we wanted to provide a strong overall silhouette that creates a gateway, but also gives Seoulites new garden-like spaces to meet, shop and enjoy their city.’

The Galleria features two symmetrically opposed twin buildings—similar but not identical—connected by an underground passage. Above ground, their silhouettes mimic rippled hourglasses, with the narrower sections serving as nature-filled public spaces. At street level, the distinctive shapes of the buildings align to frame views of the Han River through and between them. As visitors ascend from the redesigned subway entrance, they are welcomed into airy, light-filled atria that lead to landscaped plazas on the ground level. Their journey continues to an open mid-level garden with cafes, restaurants, and shops. The plant-filled rooftops offer additional green spaces, and together with the glass façades, provide varied viewpoints and reflections of the city. These outdoor areas are designed to showcase natural beauty throughout the year with a selection of native plants and thoughtful landscaping.

Both buildings feature a double-layered skin, enhancing sustainability and providing a platform for art exhibitions and events. The crystalline glass exterior imparts a sense of softness during the day, while at night, the outer layer transforms into a vibrant backdrop for glowing projections.