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studio_GAON frames surroundings with mise en abyme photography studio

nonhyun-dong 40 years ago was much different than today. an area of heavy agriculture, crops spread to all visible across the steep hilled landscape. like most outlying zones of metropolitan cities, its lands were soon overtaken by the sprawl.

a steady influx of city-escaping residents began to push the price of land into the realm of unattainable, at first for the farmers, and eventually for the newcomers themselves. commercial buildings now inhabit nonhyun-dong, interspersed with the remnants of private homes and what’s left of its agricultural history.

seoul-based firm studio_GAON was commissioned to leave their mark on the rapidly changing district. their work, deemed ‘mise en abyme’ after the infinitely occurring phenomenon caused by placing to mirrors opposite one another, is the office of a prominent photographer. the cube-like form features a series of frame shapes overlapping and superimposed over one another. these filter the surrounding environment, composing an always changing array of images as the outside environment evolves.

the ‘mise en abyme’ office building is organized by function across seven floors. two of the levels are sub-ground level, the lowest being a large room dedicated entirely to shooting. one floor above, is a multi-purpose studio. unlike the floor below, this ‘basement’ space is dominated by a long, high window that lets in an abundant amount of natural light.

the ground level is the same height as the street that runs along the western side. located here is a small car park, enough for several vehicles. upon entrance, clients and/or employees are let out into an open, high-ceiling spaced that acts as cafeteria and informal gathering place. all other areas of the building are accessible from the room. a prominent staircase provides easy movement to more levels above, all four of which are dedicated entirely to administrative tasks and office work.

terrace of basement -1, stairs to left leading to photography studio

Details

  • Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
  • studio_GAON

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