The building of Heredium has withstood over 100 years – originally built in 1922 by a Japanese architect, it was a leading exploitation agency during Japanese colonial period in South Korea modern history. While there were changes in its usage from public to private sector for the past 100 years, the original shape of the building had been lost a lot from remodeling as needed by the past commercial tenants. However, it was eventually recognized as an architecture of the modern era and registered as the National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 98. Heredium has restored the traces of time through urban regeneration which allow us reflect on the historical implication of modern architecture and accommodate today’s culture and arts to pass down a new future value with the history to our future generations.

The lighting is to focused on presenting the current characteristic and heritage of Heredium. The coexistence and connection of the past and present thought light give rise to a new scheme of historic place that transcends time and space. The architectural style is already symbolic and historical, light highlights more of its shape and identity. A modern sense of light reinterprets the history to reshape the past to serve the new values pursuing. Since it has been transformed to cultural and event space such as exhibition and small concerts, color changing light are applied for the exterior light so it can be changeable depending on the kinds of events held. Also, linear grazers are installed at each window with roller blinds intentionally close down to make the windows bright to create a vibrant and active image of the building. As the fixtures are placed at the interior side of window, not only they contribute to the exterior light effects and beauty, it has a great point in terms of sustainability since the maintenance of the fixtures would be much easier due to the install location.

When visitors enter the interior space through the main entrance at the backside of the building, a café greets them and provide a space to spend time and become a part of the preserved history. 3000K soft white light is used at the newly added parts such as the ceiling and walls to imply that they are elements from the present. The two preserved columns and concrete bar counter at the center were illuminated 2700K – warmer light than downlight and ceiling cove light to emphasize its historic characteristic. Through the medium of light, two different light color temperatures represent old and new each as well as bridge the past and the present.


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