Korean eyewear label YUN delved into its cultural origins when opening its second store in the country’s capital. Inspired by the look of traditional hanok houses, architect Labotory designed a retail store for the brand in the neighbourhood of Seongsu – known as the ‘Brooklyn of Seoul’ – complete with a slick, integrated café space.

YUN’s brand values of balance, honesty and minimalism transpire through the interior concept in the form of a large, open space viewable from the street. The fully-glazed façade symbolizes the semi-private courtyard space – known as a madang – found in Hanok houses, which functions to break down boundaries between interior and exterior.

Exploring the roots of oriental minimalism, Labotory took inspiration from Korea’s dansaekhwa (literally ‘monochrome painting’) and the material nuance of white porcelain to express the simplicity of YUN’s products. A raised floor brings customers closer to an 'endless sky', an element manifested through simplicity in the interior's forms and textures.

Smooth walls are counteracted with rough shelving in concrete and timber, harking back to the importance of balance, both for YUN and in the Hanok. A state-of-the-art cutting machine provides a metallic glimmer, encased in a glass cylinder to contrast the natural materiality of the rest of the scheme. With its futuristic aesthetic, the machine creates a moment of intrigue as it cuts bespoke prescription lenses in 20 minutes.

While they wait, customers can enjoy a speciality coffee without leaving the store. The Wicker Park coffee bar is designed free of signage or clutter in order not to detract from the minimalist approach instated throughout the rest of the space.

labotory.com