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Kuoca Flagship Store

Jongkim design studio

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Bronze
Facade (day) - Studio SIM
Store interior photo - Studio SIM
Facade (nighti) - Studio SIM
Facade (day) - Studio SIM

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Single-Brand Store
5.86
6.37
6.42
5.06
5.93
Agata Kurzela
Agata Kurzela Founder and Design Director at Agata Kurzela Studio
6
6.5
6.5
5
6
John Lam
John Lam Co-Founder and Design Strategist at State of Culture
Kuoka's flagship store effectively...
6.84
7.22
7.13
6.36
6.89
Christopher Lye
Christopher Lye Principal at Woods Bagot
6
7
6
5
6
Andras Klopfer
Andras Klopfer Managing Partner at BWM Retail
An inviting shopfront with a nice a...
6
8
7
5
6.5
Tessa Mansfield
Tessa Mansfield Chief Creative Officer at Stylus
6
6
7
5
6
Victoria Schneyer
Victoria Schneyer Global Head of Store Design at Hugo Boss
Strong impact of the small store wi...
6
7
7
5
6.25
David Wei
David Wei Cofounder and Design Director at Hatch Architects
5.4
4.63
5.3
4.53
4.97
Norman-Henner Plattner
Norman-Henner Plattner Head of Store Development at The KaDeWe Group
6
6
6
5
5.75
David Schwarz
David Schwarz Founding Partner and Creative Director at Hush
5.84
6.72
6.35
5
5.98
Gokhan Avcioglu
Gokhan Avcioglu Principal and Founder at Global Architecture Development
6
6
7
5
6
Eric Wang
Eric Wang Head of Marketing and E-Commerce APAC at Duravit
5.1
5.74
5.22
4.88
5.24
Benjamin Iborra Wicksteed
Benjamin Iborra Wicksteed Partner and Creative Director at Mesura
6
6
6
5
5.75
Lene Utbjoe
Lene Utbjoe Discipline Lead at Henning Larsen
5
6
7
5
5.75
Client
Kuoca
Floor area
21 ㎡
Completion
2022
Social Media
Instagram Facebook Linkedin Pinterest
Sanitary
Finishes

Kuoca, a cosmetic brand which started from a small workshop in Seongsu-dong, only sells ultra- fresh skincare products manufactured within 30 days. Like fine dining cuisine born from the hands of a chef, Kuoca presents skincare products that have not been seen in the world before with highest-quality ingredients under delicate recipes.

The Kuoca flagship store is a small space of about 23 square meters, located in Seongsu-dong,

Seoul. From the Façade, the interior can be seen at a glance. In the backside of the store, a check-out desk is placed so that employees can assist the customers immediately, and a refrigerator displaying vacuum-packed products is placed under the counter, visible from the front, to further emphasize the image of the ultra-fresh skincare brand.

In the center of the store, a space is set up where you can smell and test all Kuoca's products. The ceiling light and elements are minimized so that the lighting is not visible from the front. Meanwhile, the lighting reflected from the central fixture is intended to be diffused on the ceiling. Inside the store, special lighting is used to accommodate the following changes in the brand look, and products are layered in front of it to allow customers to approach the brand's products more deeply. The walls and ceiling finished with the same special paint create Kuoca's unique atmosphere.

Rather than focusing on expressing the direct meaning of the products themselves, we aimed to capture the brand’s attitude toward the true beauty and convey it through the space. Instead of describing a sweet or flamboyant gourmet experience, we focused on the metaphorical enjoyment of skincare that the brand wishes to convey. Through this space, we hoped to create and resonate the Kuoca's authentic atmosphere beyond metaphor and, ultimately, reach the visitors.