AmorePacific F21

For the headquarters of South Korea‘s largest cosmetics group, Kinzo designed an interior that aimed to bring the vibrancy and color from the urban context of Seoul to the top floor (“F21”) creating a hub for the people working at AmorePacific. F21 has recently been opened to employees and in-house start-ups.

The headquarters was completed in 2017 by David Chipperfield Architects in the city center of Seoul. Contrary to the more subdued interior of the other floors, Kinzo’s design of the 3,100 sqm of F21 relies on a mixture of raw elements and bold colors. The contrast between the dark grid ceiling and the floor of large plywood panels is a playful concept - one of the many contrasts that promote an open and creative working atmosphere.

The c-shaped floor plan is divided into communal areas for collaborative work and areas for team work. The areas that open onto the inner courtyard connect a market square with a café and a lounge for spontaneous meetings with the so-called University.

In addition to places for research, brainstorming and presentations, there is also a library in the University: up to 8,000 books can be accommodated in a podium that resembles an amphitheater. Informal meetings can be held inside the arena, too. The outer ring offers reading places.

In order to provide in-house start-ups with space to develop new ideas and products, Kinzo has created special team areas. These resemble typical Seoul houses with front gardens. Each “start-up family“ is provided with a 60 sqm area equipped with various basic elements which are flexible and can be arranged according to the needs of the teams.

In addition to a team house for meetings and individually movable table elements for focus or team work, there is a multifunctional scaffolding that can be used as a partition, a place to relax or do sports, or a breakout zone.

Just like a raw and unfinished artist studio can be a space for inspiration and development, F21 offers the greatest possible freedom for creativity, exchange of ideas and innovation.

Kinzo Design Studio:
Founder in Charge: Martin Jacobs, Karim El-Ishmawi
Responsible Partner: Vanessa Riecke
Head Designer: Edoardo Albano
Project Manager: Ina Podzimek
Project team: Brian Chen (Model), Gaia Kadmon and Joao Goncalves

Architecture: David Chipperfield Architects

Client: AmorePacific