UNI announces ‘Skincafe’ — Architecture Competition to
Challenge to design a Skincare center in Jeju, Korea, South — UNI.xyz
IMPACT OF SOUTH KOREAN TRENDS AND CULTURE
Beauty is an important part of human life. It is an indispensable quality that humans are prone to notice at their first glance of anything. It evokes human emotions and hence has been an important part of every culture. Aesthetics have played an important part in them too, in terms of architecture, dressing, and cosmetic care. Moreover, aesthetic standards have led to the birth of cosmetic items that slowly evolved into moderate skincare and beauty items today.
South Korea is currently one of the leading skincare and beauty industries and the hype over Korean skincare methods is increasing exponentially around the world. One of the main reasons these products and methodology are worshipped around the world is due to their creative and functional approach to cosmetology where each of their products focuses on a specific skin care need.
The K-wave charming the world in various fields from pop music and drama to the skincare market, it has had an undeniable global impact.
How can we utilize this K-wave impact on the world to bring the local south Korean skin culture to the forefront?
SKINCARE SECRETS OF JEJU ISLAND
With the Korean skincare market being at an all-time high, it has had a positive impact on the country’s economy too. It draws in a huge crowd of skincare tourism where enthusiasts visit the country for the culture seen in Korean dramas and pop culture and their cosmetic surgery and product market. It is not only their modern skincare solutions that draw in tourism but also their traditional forms of skincare that are still prominent in parts of the country.
Jeju island, as heard in many of these famed dramas and products, is one of these hotspots. Known for its natural scenic beauty and its volcanic tube systems, it is also known for its abundance of natural ingredients such as volcanic ash and other herbs that are used in some of these skincare products for their effects such as exfoliating and pore refinement.
With so many pros in one place, acting as a potential ground for attracting more people and spreading their culture, can we provide Jeju Island with a better architectural testimony?
A HUB FOR THE CULTURE AND SKIN
Brief: Design a skincare center that reflects the essence of the local skincare and cosmetic culture and tradition.
Being the hotspot for all touristic activities, creating a skincare hub as mentioned would increase the influx and turn their attention towards this culture. While the place is also known for its visit from throngs of skincare enthusiasts, both local and foreign this place would act as a one-stop-shop for all skincare needs.
This can also act as a center for all local businesses to showcase their products and inventions to improve their lifestyle, making it a two-way transaction.
The building designing methodology and elements used in it can reflect the area’s culture and the purpose of the facility to attract more people by capturing their attention. The space can also act as a public space or lounge for visitors.
OBJECTIVES
- Aesthetic: The ambiance must be inspired by the natural elements found in the local area and its rich culture in the beauty industry.
- Context: The design must respond to the (existing) site conditions. The wider socio-cultural, economic and environmental settings are to be considered in the design approach.
- Harmony: The design must establish harmony or connection with the surroundings while having outstanding features.
The following objectives are just a point of beginning, the participants are free to assume their contexts. The program for this project must include a skincare parlor, a traditional skincare showcase/display, a retail store, and a lounge. Any creative additions to the project can be done within the provided constraints.
SITE
The site is located in Jeju Do, South Korea, popularly known for its skincare products, mainly volcanic ash products. The site is known to have a dormant volcano, Hallasan which has become a tourist hotspot for people visiting to see its volcanic landscapes and lava tubes. The site is in the neighborhood of Idol-dong surrounded by commercial establishments. There are many local hotspots in the vicinity which makes it a suitable location for this typology.
- Site Area: 1039 sqm
- Height restrictions: 9 meters
- Ground coverage: 30%
- Maximum FAR: 0.5
- Setbacks (as per CAD plan)
- Coordinates: Jeju Island
Originally published at https://uni.xyz.
