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WORKS
CHAGEE Flagship Store
Located in the vibrant commercial district of Gangnam, Seoul, this 350-square-metre flagship store marks CHAGEE’s first entry into the Korean market. AplusO translated the brand’s contemporary tea culture into a spatial experience that resonates with local sensibilities while maintaining a strong connection to its origins.
With a generous ceiling height of six metres, the space is conceived as an immersive environment centred around the ritual of tea-making. At the heart of the interior sits a centralized, oval-shaped bar—both a functional workspace and a symbolic stage—where the process of preparing tea becomes the focal point of the customer experience. This central gesture organizes the entire layout, encouraging visitors to circulate, observe, and engage with the craft.
The design draws inspiration from the intertwined narratives of tea and silk—two materials historically associated with cultural exchange, refinement, and sensory richness. This concept is translated into a layered spatial language through the use of soft, flowing forms, tactile materials, and subtle transitions of light and texture. The bar, as the core element, embodies this duality: precise yet fluid, contemporary yet rooted in tradition.
Recognizing this store as CHAGEE’s first in Korea, AplusO integrates local elements to ground the brand within its new context. Rather than applying overtly traditional motifs, the design adopts a more interpretive approach—blending materiality, proportion, and spatial rhythm inspired by Korean aesthetics with CHAGEE’s established identity. This results in a space that feels both globally consistent and locally attuned.
Ultimately, the project goes beyond a conventional retail environment. It is conceived as a cultural interface where visitors can experience tea not only as a product, but as a process, a ritual, and a shared moment—reinforcing CHAGEE’s commitment to elevating tea culture through design.
With a generous ceiling height of six metres, the space is conceived as an immersive environment centred around the ritual of tea-making. At the heart of the interior sits a centralized, oval-shaped bar—both a functional workspace and a symbolic stage—where the process of preparing tea becomes the focal point of the customer experience. This central gesture organizes the entire layout, encouraging visitors to circulate, observe, and engage with the craft.
The design draws inspiration from the intertwined narratives of tea and silk—two materials historically associated with cultural exchange, refinement, and sensory richness. This concept is translated into a layered spatial language through the use of soft, flowing forms, tactile materials, and subtle transitions of light and texture. The bar, as the core element, embodies this duality: precise yet fluid, contemporary yet rooted in tradition.
Recognizing this store as CHAGEE’s first in Korea, AplusO integrates local elements to ground the brand within its new context. Rather than applying overtly traditional motifs, the design adopts a more interpretive approach—blending materiality, proportion, and spatial rhythm inspired by Korean aesthetics with CHAGEE’s established identity. This results in a space that feels both globally consistent and locally attuned.
Ultimately, the project goes beyond a conventional retail environment. It is conceived as a cultural interface where visitors can experience tea not only as a product, but as a process, a ritual, and a shared moment—reinforcing CHAGEE’s commitment to elevating tea culture through design.
CHAGEE City Hall
Located adjacent to Deoksugung Palace, the design draws inspiration from the palace’s stone walls and traditional architectural elements. Contemporary materials and spatial compositions reinterpret the historic context, creating a modern tea-house experience that resonates with the cultural identity of the site.
CHAGEE Shinchon
Designed for Seoul’s vibrant university district, the store reinterprets Korean architectural motifs through a contemporary lens. The space combines modernized traditional elements with a youthful and approachable atmosphere, creating a distinctive destination that reflects both local culture and the dynamic character of Sinchon.
CHAGEE I-Park mall
Located within a major retail mall, the store reimagines Korean design elements in a contemporary way while responding to the fast-paced commercial environment. The design balances strong brand identity with openness and visibility, creating an inviting tea experience tailored to the mall setting.
SongSan Sports & Culture Center
Rather than proposing the “Songsan Culture and Sports Center” as a purposive facility that merely accommodates various physical and cultural activities, we envision it as an “open park” — a space citizens can share in their daily lives without specific intention.
Located within a “Residential Development Promotion District” characterized by low-density housing on hilly terrain, the site is surrounded by elementary schools, low-rise residences, welfare centers, and administrative public facilities such as community centers. All four sides are bordered by roads, offering residents multiple and convenient points of access in their everyday routines.
Spaces for leisure and rest should not be confined to programmatic, functional roles. Instead, they must remain open to diverse, spontaneous uses by residents. Reflecting the multidirectional nature of the site and its surrounding context, the space adopts an open attitude. A form without a front is not closed off, but instead follows an order of flow — where people walk, pause, and encounter one another by chance.
Located within a “Residential Development Promotion District” characterized by low-density housing on hilly terrain, the site is surrounded by elementary schools, low-rise residences, welfare centers, and administrative public facilities such as community centers. All four sides are bordered by roads, offering residents multiple and convenient points of access in their everyday routines.
Spaces for leisure and rest should not be confined to programmatic, functional roles. Instead, they must remain open to diverse, spontaneous uses by residents. Reflecting the multidirectional nature of the site and its surrounding context, the space adopts an open attitude. A form without a front is not closed off, but instead follows an order of flow — where people walk, pause, and encounter one another by chance.
RDCPM
New development including residential, retail and the converting the historically preserved client house to the peace museum. The concept of design revolves around the interconnectedness and separation of the new development on the site (private) and the existing neighbourhood (public). Acting as a focal point between these two realms, the museum symbolizes the progress and transformation taking place. By strategically situating the building to define the site’s boundaries, a private area is created while harmoniously blending with the surrounding block.
GFI Seoul office
provided interior design and construction services for the GFI Seoul office. The approximately 900-square-meter workspace was functionally planned to suit the nature of the work and completed with a modern and sophisticated design
HYD residence
Designed a residential complex located in Jeju Island, South Korea. Each building, approximately 300 square meters of floor area (GFA), offers ocean views to the south and views of Hallasan Mountain to the east. The spatial composition, formed by fragmented masses, is harmoniously integrated with the surrounding nature and creates a variety of spatial experiences.
Munrae Community Facility
Our proposal for the Mullae Community Hub reinterprets the industrial context of the area through open boundaries, flexible programs, and collaborative construction with local artisans. It serves as a dynamic framework for everyday encounters, sharing, and community growth.
Ssangmun 2-dong community service center
Located in Ssangmun 2-dong, Seoul, the community center provides various administrative services and supports cultural and welfare activities for local residents. Departing from the rigid image of conventional public facilities, the design creates an open and welcoming space. Centered around two courtyards, the layout allows for a variety of spaces to be either interconnected or independently open, fostering flexible relationships between different programs.
Daycare center in Mapo
Located on the lower floors of a high-rise mixed-use building, the Kids Center explores spatial possibilities within structural constraints. The design organizes the space into dynamic and static zones based on the nature of children's activities, using playful and functional storage elements to define and separate these areas
SCJAR renovation
This 130 sqm apartment renovation embraces a modern and refined aesthetic. Clean lines, warm textures, and subtle details come together to create a sophisticated living space that balances comfort with understated luxury.
Table for CPB
Designed for the lobby of CentroPolis in Jongno, this table blends refined materiality with quiet geometry. It offers a calm presence within the dynamic urban context, serving as both a functional element and a sculptural anchor in the public interior.
A Barn for ceramic artist
A minimalistic structure of 99 square meters is planned in the grazing land of the mid-mountainous region of Mt. Halla for the work and living space of a ceramic artist and a nature enthusiast. The basic layout is optimized according to the dimensions of lightweight wooden structures, proposing a 6-unit parallel structure with adaptable open and closed facades. This simplest and most rational design is constructed directly according to the client’s intentions, allowing it to evolve over time into both a workspace and a living space while also allowing for potential expansion externally. Ultimately aiming for a perfect off-grid setup, prioritizing practicality, and ensuring flexibility for future expansion were crucial considerations.
K-Style Lab
The boutique mixed-fashion brands pop-up store is conceived as an open and dynamic space, celebrating the unique identities of individual designers. Each designer’s profile and clothing style concept are prominently showcased, enhancing the narrative of their brand within the shared environment. Flexible and modular standing boards are incorporated to display designer profiles, allowing adaptability to different layouts and evolving presentations. The design prioritizes a seamless flow and visual cohesion, while maintaining distinct spaces that highlight the diversity of each designer’s work.
CENTRAL MEDICAL CLINIC
The psychiatry clinic embraces a post-modern design, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The material palette is intentionally restrained, with subtle articulations in select elements to maintain visual interest. Brightness is achieved through clean white walls and ceilings, while the use of warm-toned flooring and furniture introduces a sense of comfort and approachability, striking a harmonious balance between functionality and aesthetics.
DB renovation
The renovation project encompasses both interior and exterior enhancements, with a focus on refining the swimming pool area and the communal courtyard. The design adopts a minimalist approach to emphasize clean lines and simplicity, strategically maximizing the panoramic ocean views and creating a seamless connection between the built environment and its natural surroundings.
DeaJeun Youth Cultural Center
Competition for ASEAN Youth Cultural Center including exhibition hall, gym, theatres and youth welfare facilities in DeaJeon Metropolitan City with 7 stories building.
HLY renovation
The scope of work encompasses both interior and exterior renovation, including the creation of a private backyard garden to enhance family privacy. On the ground level, the living and dining spaces are seamlessly interconnected through a series of custom-designed cabinets and bookshelves, thoughtfully integrated with bench seating. This design approach not only maximizes functionality but also establishes a harmonious flow between the spaces, complementing the overall aesthetic and architectural vision.
PET CENTRAL CLINIC
The 24-hour animal hospital incorporates the original Pet Central brand colors as an integral part of the design concept, ensuring visual continuity and brand identity. The design details and materials are thoughtfully selected to prioritize animal-friendly features, providing a safe and comfortable environment for pets and their owners. The main ground-floor reception is seamlessly connected to the upstairs operation room, ensuring efficient accessibility and smooth operational flow, while maintaining a cohesive spatial experience.
Y-Residence renovation
he project involves both interior and exterior renovation works for a luxurious villa located on Beach Road. Initially constructed as a unified development of three individual buildings for a single family, these structures shared a common podium. With the transition to the second generation, each building has since been independently acquired by new owners. The façade redesign harmonizes with the adjacent structures, employing a cohesive architectural language to minimize visual impact. Additionally, the interior spaces are reimagined to incorporate outdoor greenery, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor environments to enhance spatial quality and natural integration.
Arirang restaurant
The design concept for the Korean restaurant draws inspiration from the traditional colors of Korean clothing, known as “SecDong,” and the textures of traditional fabrics. Vibrant “SecDong” hues are dynamically incorporated into the dining area, reflected and enhanced through carefully curated lighting, creating an immersive and culturally rich atmosphere. The client’s exceptional collection of Korean art is prominently displayed throughout the space, seamlessly blending culinary and visual experiences. This thoughtful integration of Korean cultural elements enriches the dining environment, offering patrons an authentic and engaging celebration of Korean heritage through both cuisine and aesthetics.
Hanyangdoseong On-site Museum Design Competition
This proposal for the Hanyangdoseong On-site Museum honors the historical significance of the Joseon-era city wall on Namsan by integrating architecture into the landscape with quiet respect. The design preserves the wall’s presence while offering layered spatial experiences—inviting citizens to walk, pause, and reconnect with the city’s living history.
Yeoui-Naru Ferry Terminal Design Competition
“mulberry again” reimagines the Yeoui-Naru Ferry Terminal by tracing Yeouido’s forgotten identity as a mulberry field. The design revives this layered history through a landscape of light, shadow, and structure—where architecture becomes a gentle vessel for memory, movement, and community gathering by the water’s edge.
West Busan Smart Logistics
Winning international competition for Busan Nak-Dong River City Masterplan including the logistics park, marina area, river side residential, new commercial district and national reserved environmental area.
Science Park R&D center
Competition for the science park. The concept of “Inhabitable Landscape” envisions the site as an excavated park rather than a typical building, featuring paths that promote movement and create vibrant spaces between structures. The earth rises to form a rolling landscape, giving the area a park-like appearance from a distance, while facilitating the integration of buildings within the natural environment. This harmonious blend of nature and architecture leads to inhabitable spaces beneath the landscape. Furthermore, the site serves as a rainwater filtration system, collecting water at the park level, which is then filtered through winding ramps into a courtyard and reused in the building. Overall, this design underscores the significance of incorporating green spaces in urban settings, fostering eco-friendly living by prioritizing nature.
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