Redefining the Space

The lobby is the face of architecture. However, until now, the lobby of the National Museum of Korea has resembled an “addition” rather than a “face.” Furniture was appended as needed, information overlapped, and functions temporarily accumulated. The information desk stood isolated in the vast atrium, leaving staff constantly exposed to public view. Sofas in the rest area were aligned in rows, facing a large screen like a train station waiting room. Lockers were fully visible in the hallway, and banners, printed materials, signage, and monitors providing visitor information were redundantly displayed, creating confusion for guests. Although the museum had set a project goal to convert the main lobby space into a “barrier-free space,” we believed the first step should be to redefine the service zones within the lobby. While respecting the value of the existing architecture, we restructured the lobby to become a space of welcome for visitors. The design began with three key principles: “Exhibition Information – Unified Linearly,” “Rest Area – Multidirectional for the Rotunda,” and “Lockers – Service Zoning via a New Layer.”

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Linear Exhibition Information Zone

To emphasize the linearity of the transition into the exhibition spaces, we integrated exhibition information—such as multilingual translation devices, wheelchair and stroller rental stations, brochures, and maps—into one long space. The information zone runs parallel to the circulation path leading to the permanent exhibitions, allowing all necessary services to be offered naturally. As scattered programs were consolidated, a long linear space was formed along one side of the rotunda. This space consists of an 18-meter-long information desk, an integrated information wall behind it, and a canopy. The canopy provides a sense of security for staff, shielding them from the openness of the atrium, while maintaining the presence of the rotunda.

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Multidirectional Rest Area

Located at the intersection of the permanent exhibition hall, children’s exhibition hall, and main entrance, the rest area was deliberately designed without a fixed orientation. Seating was designed with low backs to reduce directional cues, and chairs can be connected at right angles. Modular sofa units, backrests, armrests, and side tables can be combined in various directions, allowing wheelchair and stroller users to sit naturally among others. Unfurnished spaces between units allow for easy docking of wheelchairs and strollers, making them feel like part of the rest area. This created an environment where people with and without disabilities can rest together without discomfort.

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Adding Layers to Locker Services

The lockers were redefined by adding a new “layer” between the hallway and restrooms. This layer includes not only lockers, but also a nursing room, stroller storage, water fountain, and waste bins, reorganizing previously scattered service elements into a coherent system.

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Warm Black with Varied Textures

The original main lobby featured bright marble finishes, with the only dark material being the obsidian under the second-floor lounge. We interpreted this as the original architect's intent to use black for elements supporting the exhibitions, and chose to follow this principle using different materials. Instead of glossy obsidian, we selected a matte black that absorbs light. The warm black tones, rendered in metal, wood, and colored concrete, with varying textures, created a subdued background that remains calm even amid the light and sound reflections of the rotunda. This also provided contrast with the bright marble, enhancing the visibility of the service areas.

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Unearthing Patterns and Fabricating by Hand

The lower portion of the information desk was inspired by the draped folds of fabric found on the robe and pedestal of Pensive Bodhisattva, one of the museum’s iconic National Treasures. The three-dimensional patterns derived from the statue were turned into four types of panels, creating eight combinations. These panels were cast in high-strength colored concrete using aluminum molds, then finished with sandblasting to create a solid yet soft texture. The result offers both visual refinement and a tactile experience, enhancing accessibility in the barrier-free space.

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Lowered to Welcome All

Rather than setting apart a separate “barrier-free” zone, the entire space was designed to be inclusive for all users by adjusting heights. The information desk was lowered by 10 cm to improve accessibility, and seating in the rest area was lowered by about 3 cm compared to standard chairs, allowing wheelchair users to sit at a more natural eye level. Sturdy round armrests were added beside seats to aid users when standing or sitting. Furniture modules in the rest area were also designed with sizes that accommodate strollers and wheelchairs seamlessly.

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The National Museum of Korea, with its vast scale, attracts visitors of all ages and nationalities. By unifying scattered visual and spatial elements and organizing makeshift furniture and programs, the lobby has been reimagined as a true “place of welcome.” In the heart of the rotunda, where warm black tones overlay bright marble, visitors are guided naturally along the exhibition path while being able to rest from any direction. Designed with accessibility in mind, this renewed lobby is open to all while further emphasizing the architectural dignity of the National Museum of Korea.