Located in Seoul, South Korea, the 4400+ sq m Christian Dior Flagship Store features a prominent sculptural white facade inspired by the shape and movement of fabric.
Designed by French architect Christian de Portzamparc together with indigenous architects DPJ & Partners, the facade of the store is composed of 11 curvaceous panels (each one measuring 6m x 20m) of self-standing Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP).
As concepts go, this takes the cake. The translation of form and texture of fabric into a building facade, without making use of actual fabric, is quite exemplary. The slender and subtle curves almost perfectly mimic fabric draped over a manikin. Its both wonderful to behold and I bet even better to experience.
Here’s a look at how the elegant panels were formed, as well as the resultant facade. (Images courtesy Nicolas Borel), as well as a short interview with Christian de Portzamparc himself, the man behind the concept and design.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWVuuWpd97E
If you’d like to see the rest of the project, go here.
[via contemporist, aasarchitecture]
