Kring – Creative Culture Space

After my experience at the W, a local friend introduced me to another extraordinary but little-known place in Seoul: Kring – Creative Culture Space, located in Gangnam (Samseong station). While the building is designed as a creative space for holding public performances, events and exhibitions the building itself is as much a work of art as what it contains.

Looking Towards the Future

Designed by Korean firm Unsangdong Architects the front of the building immediately catches your eye with its metallic covering and indented circular widows (which reminded me of the bullet-time effects in the Matrix) with each impact rippling out across its surface. At night lights illuminate the entire area with the windows being transformed into display surfaces.

Kring Space Station

Upon entering through a circular glass door you’re instantly met with a stunning bright space filled with cleverly juxtaposed multi-layered shapes, contrasting colours, and soft lighting which although appearing random work together with spectacular effect. Think 2001: A Space Odyssey updated for 2009 then your almost there.

Reception Lounge

Immediately behind the entrance reception desk is a wooden tiered lounge area which provides touch-screen terminals for Kring information and internet access. I was surprised how quiet it was for a Sunday afternoon, we almost had the place to ourselves.

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The stairs leading up to the second floor are another marvel with each step being a small screen of its own over which simple light animations are constantly played. A chain-link wall curtain alongside the stairs provides a translucent divider between the spaces.

Space Station

The first floor is lit by a number of differently sized circular portals, some of which extended to the floor above, providing yet another perspective on the structure of the building. Various contemporary artworks were on display although, to be honest, they were somewhat outshone by their surroundings. On the second floor is an open area surrounded by exhibitions with a small cafe where instead of fixed prices you decide how much you want to donate (including free wi-fi).

Kring meeting space

The third floor isn’t open to the public but it apparently has meeting spaces and a rooftop garden. I wanted to sneak up but it was being closely watched by a security guard.

Kring Cinema

The centre also includes a high-spec cinema which shows international art-house films. We watched a French movie (Dans Paris) which was shown in French with Korean subtitles so I could only pick up a small fraction of it!

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Entrance is free so if you’re in Seoul this is a place not to be missed, especially given its situation so close to the COEX mall. Some great professional photos of the Kring lit up at night can be found on designboom.

David avatar

8 responses

  1. Hi, the place is stunning. Thank you for your introduction and nice photos. I’ve seen the place in a Korean drama but did not know its name till today. It is gorgeous! And it reminds me of W seoul, which you mentioned at the beginning of the article.
    I like your website 🙂

    1. Hi Amy – thanks for your comment! Agree it’s a stunning place, hope you’ll have a chance to visit and if so do let me know what you think of it 🙂

  2. Anum avatar
    Anum

    Beautiful place.. specially the waiting area.. without captions it had me wondering it’s purpose..

    1. It’s a general purpose art center where they hold exhibitions and other cultural events.

  3. Very nice photos!

  4. Fred Kring avatar
    Fred Kring

    Hi, Georgous building. I was just messing around on the computer looking up my last name and came across this Amazing building. The name is not that common. I live in Alaska and their are only 3 of us here with that name in the whole state. Ok, well anyhow. Just tracking down my last name and any family members. Blessings and have a wonderful day….Fred Kring , Alaska………..

    1. Thanks Fred – that’s crazy! I wonder where the name originates from…?

  5. Summer avatar
    Summer

    I came across this article when searching for the info for KRING. Thanks for offering the detailed info! According to a travelling guide, the name KRING means “ring or circle” in Dutch 🙂

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