Rema Building (2024 Excellence Award)

Photo: ⓒ Park Dahae

The greatest challenge of this project was establishing the building's presence through form and materiality on a narrow 4-meter street in Nonhyeon-dong. A reddish exterior material was chosen to contrast with the surrounding gray facades, and curved surfaces were strategically applied to distinguish the building from the linear urban landscape. At the base, trumpet-shaped curved columns provide a three-dimensional experience for pedestrians passing through the piloti parking area.

As a commercial building requiring maximum floor area, this strong constraint sparked new creativity. To create a clear identity within the maximized volume, curved designs were planned using exterior spaces, balconies, and columns. The curved building stands out from the linear structures around it, while restrained use of curves ensures budget efficiency. Great effort was made to find the optimal balance—curved enough to be perceived as such, yet not classified as a non-standard building form.