The concept of this project is based on the idea of "Mahk," which is an unapologetic rejection of refinement for the sake of refinement, of ostentation that gets in the way of practicality or honesty. The original building was built in the 1980s at the peak of Korea's hyper-growing economy.
Therefore, the space was constructed solely from the economic perspective to serve the program. I found that the quality of the building has severely decayed over time. However, the goodness remained in structural grids and was authentic in the original material usage. I instantly recognized that the project's goal was to restore the lost functionality of a building and build an aesthetic that reveals authenticity in a self-assured, uncrated, carefree way. The columns and the beams were the main skeletons that show the true self of the building, so these elements have remained untouched as much as possible. Still, the windows and service area must be replaced to be insulated and functional for modern use.