FUTURA SEOUL

Seoul, Korea


In Seoul’s historic Bukchon district, the Futura Seoul art museum was designed to create a space where tradition and the future can coexist. WGNB’s Jonghwan Baek approached the project with a clear challenge: to go beyond the conventional role of an art venue and shape a place that becomes part of the artistic experience, evoking contemplation, temporal depth, and sensory immersion.

The concept is centred on “layers of time.” Drawing from the hanok context and the flow of natural light, the museum is conceived as a meditative vessel. Rather than guiding visitors through spectacle, the architecture encourages them to slow down and experience art through presence and atmosphere.

What makes the project special is its focus on unexpectedness and light. From a modestly scaled entry, the space unfolds through contrasting interior volumes, a hidden garden, and a rooftop view that reveals both past and present Seoul. Movement follows an unusual but intentional rhythm, with light, both natural and architectural, acting as a guiding element. The result is, as the architects describe it, “not just a venue, but a living curatorial statement.”

Fritz Hansen furniture appears across the museum’s interior and outdoor areas, selected for qualities that align with the architectural philosophy. As WGNB note, Fritz Hansen pieces carry “refined craftsmanship and quiet strength,” and “complement the space subtly and respectfully, allowing the art and architecture to remain the central focus.” Indoors, Arne Jacobsen’s Dot™ stools bring a lightness of character that supports the gallery’s calm atmosphere without pulling attention from the works on display. Outdoors, Pelagus chairs and tables, Tradition tables and the Cadence bench extend the experience to terraces and rooftop settings. 

Placed within a distinctly Korean spatial experience, Danish design works here through restraint: precise forms, considered materiality, and an unobtrusive presence that enhances atmosphere while leaving the central encounter to art, architecture, and light.