Milae Tower - An Iconic Workplace Prioritising Adaptability & Wellbeing
Set in a prominent location in Gangnam, Seoul, this project was aimed at designing a landmark commercial tower for the client to lease to a range of potential tenants.
Purpose and People
Our Design Advisory team internally outlined the vision for the project, which centred around creating an iconic building that exemplified environmentally responsive architecture and integrated workplace wellness. We explored relevant trends to shape a dynamic workplace experience, focusing on connected floorplates, mobile working, and smart capability. Having identified tenant end-users, we helped the client develop a client pack for potential tenants including Soho House and Body Friends.
Following our in-depth advisory process our design response developed three key elements that together, have created an adaptable workplace with collaboration, choice, and creativity at its heart.
An Iconic Urban Building
The project brief rested on the development of a landmark iconic commercial office tower on a key urban intersection in Cheongdam, an epicentre of fashion trends and celebrity in the heart of Gangnam.
The outer form of our design was inspired by the concept of a veiled cavity façade and provides a dynamic and recognisable landmark. The movement in the form has a biophilic effect and engages with the streetscape, which is further enhanced by an uplift of the tower that gives visual impact and a distinct street address. The breathable façade also provides the benefits of an environmentally responsive skin, maximising environmental efficiency. The north façade is complimented by the exterior biophilic greening and closed cavity pop out spaces that define the south face of the tower.
A destination rooftop bar, terrace and restaurant has been created, for either public or membership use, and cements the brand identity for this building and promotes its commercial value.
‘This landmark mixed-use tower on a key urban intersection in Cheongdam, was an exciting challenge for the team, mixing office and hotel typologies into one scheme wrapped in an innovative veiled skin.’
Jon Fielding, Creative Director, Heta Architects
A Vertical Connected Journey
To provide premium grade commercial office space in this new location, connection through the building, enhanced workplace cohesion and mobility were key. We focused on providing a vertically connected building to maximise circulation with a variety of spatial amenities for both work and social activities, providing greater flexibility for a single tenant.
The multi-use lobby is a destination for social gatherings and events with open plan floor plates above, allowing for adaptable environments with various degrees of “openness”. A mix of open spaces, impromptu meeting rooms and communal zones make up a vertical village that enhances productivity, workplace resilience and builds social unity and balance.
Integrated Wellness
We prioritised the future health and wellbeing of occupants by augmenting our wellness response to this brief. This included proximity to generous natural light and shade and enhanced air quality to improve concentration and productivity. Green spaces were incorporated into the design with focused work terraces, green breakout space and areas for wellness breaks. The green space provided by the roof-top garden is a feature that can provide moments of calm in nature, fresh air, and areas to connect with colleagues informally.
The biophilic greening of the interior of the building through the strategic placing of internal planters not only provides an essential connection with nature that enhances wellbeing, but also helps to shade the façade.
