Chungha Building
The Chungha Building is an architectural structure in Seoul, South Korea, renovated in 2013 by Dutch firm MVRDV. The facade features 18 box-shaped units with large glass windows and Italian mosaic tiles that look like white foam up close and smooth like stone from a distance.
The building was constructed in the 1980s and deteriorated over time, with sealed windows and a cluttered facade full of signage. The 2013 renovation by MVRDV fundamentally changed its exterior and added an extra level to make it more modern and relevant to the neighborhood.
The building stands on the popular Apgujung Road in Gangnam, where it fits into the busy retail atmosphere of the district. Its flexible facade with individual shop windows lets each tenant display products in a personal way and actively shape the street's appearance.
The building sits in a tight space with sometimes only 2.5 meters width, making the site very limited, but accessibility for pedestrians is straightforward directly from the busy Apgujung Road. The large glass facade lets in plenty of natural light, keeping the interior bright during the day.
The project was completed in just nine months despite extremely tight space conditions, with workers sometimes having to squeeze into areas only 2.5 meters wide. This rapid and precise construction under difficult conditions makes the renovation a remarkable feat of craftsmanship.
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