Hyunjoon Yoo + Partners' Metal Curtain Building Blurs Public-Private Divide

Hyunjoon Yoo + Partners has completed the Metal Curtain Building in South Korea, a 2,658 m² office structure completed in 2023. The design addresses the modern urban problem of strict separation between private and public space by referencing traditional Korean architecture. The building features a liminal space under the eaves, akin to a traditional flooring deck (balcony), which serves as an intermediate zone between interior and exterior. This space encourages social interaction, allowing users to linger, sit, and talk among themselves or with people outside. The project was led by Hyunjoon Yoo and Jiyoung Jon, with a design team including Hyundon Chung, Insil Son, Jiho Kim, Boram Kim, and Eunsuk Noh. Structural engineering was provided by SEUM, civil engineering by ANAM, mechanical engineering by MINSUNG Engineering, lighting design by newds, and general contracting by SUNGCHANG. Photographs were taken by Kyungsub Shin.