Centre Pompidou Hanwha offers an ever-changing expression shaped by time, season, and the movement of its visitors. The texture of curved glass, light filtering through the void, and spaces that inspire reflection transform each visit into a journey of contemplation.   Reimagined as a “Box of Light” and a “lighthouse of the city,” the former annex of the 63 Building takes on a new cultural presence. A horizontal “band of light” wrapping around the 63 Building blends into the city by day and radiates across the skyline by night.   Experience a cyclical experience where art, architecture, and the city reflect and connect with one another.     Watch this video on Gansam’s YouTube channel

▴ Active in high-tech design sectors — including batteries, automotive, and data centers — across the U.S. ‘Sun Belt’  ▴ “The Commons” received a Merit Award in the Built Projects category (over 5,000 sq. ft.).    (From right) Gansam USA (Jaehong Chang, Director; Kevin Kim, Principal); Archiplan Design Group (Tony Kim, Principal). ⓒ AIA Georgia   Gansam USA, Inc. (hereinafter "Gansam USA"), the U.S. subsidiary of Gansam Co., Ltd., announced on the 13th that it has received a Merit Award at the 2026 AIA Georgia Design Awards — official recognition from the North American architectural community, achieved just five years after entering the U.S. market in 2021. The award-winning project is "The Commons at a Battery Manufacturing Campus" (hereinafter "The Commons"), located in Kingston, Georgia. The Commons is a shared employee amenity facility within a battery cell manufacturing plant developed by HSBMA (Hyundai SK Battery Manufacturing America), the battery production joint venture between SK On and Hyundai Motor Group. Comprising two two-story buildings — an administration building and a canteen building — the project has a total floor area of 112,437 sq. ft. (10,445 ㎡)   The AIA Georgia Design Awards is an annual program organized by the Georgia chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The program recognizes projects of all budgets, sizes, styles, and types that demonstrate excellence in architectural design, and evaluates entries against the AIA's 10 principles of the Framework for Design Excellence, including Design for Integration, Design for Energy, Design for Equitable Communities, Design for Resources, and Design for Well-being. This recognition is notable because the project reexamines conventional assumptions about industrial facilities. AIA Georgia described The Commons as "a shared commons that restores interaction and well-being within a highly controlled environment," recognizing the project as an approach that departs from the inertia typical of industrial buildings.    2026 AIA Georgia Design Awards, Merit Award in the Built Projects (over 5,000 sq. ft.) category — "The Commons at a Battery Manufacturing Campus." ⓒ Gansam Co., Ltd.   Myungkwan Nam, Executive Director and lead designer of The Commons, said: "Our starting point was creating space for everyday human experience within an industrial environment where efficiency is the dominant measure. We asked what architecture could offer employees in Georgia's hot climate — and sought to create a range of indoor-outdoor connections that encourage spontaneous interaction, as well as an environment where the microclimate is moderated, much like the eaves of a traditional Korean hanok."   Interior view of The Commons office building. Natural light and an open-plan layout support focus, collaboration, and interaction. © Gansam Co., Ltd.   The interior is organized as an open plan with minimal partitions, encouraging spontaneous encounters, while skylights and a void connecting the first and second floors draw natural light deep into the building. An extended roof canopy bridging the two buildings shelters a shared courtyard placed at the center of daily circulation. Through passive design strategies — including modular materials at 3'-6" (approximately 1,070 mm) widths and calibrated window-to-wall ratios — envelope, massing, spatial planning, and energy performance are integrated into a single system.     Based on a 3'-6" modular material strategy, the design integrates the façade, massing, and space into a unified system. © Gansam Co., Ltd.   AIA Georgia recognized that these strategies support focus, psychological restoration, and social connection, demonstrating how human-centered environments can be integrated into contemporary industrial facilities. As a result, The Commons was honored for excellence in two of the Framework for Design Excellence principles: Design for Integration and Design for Energy.   Leading Gansam USA, Kevin Kim, Principal, and Jaehong Chang, Director, said: "This award is a significant milestone — it shows that Gansam USA is not simply an organization executing industrial facilities, but a practice with the capacity to deliver design value and spatial quality together. Building on the high-tech design expertise we have accumulated across the U.S. South and West — the 'Sun Belt' regions including Georgia, Arizona, and California — we plan to accelerate our expansion into sectors where design and technology converge, such as data centers, smart offices, and mixed-use facilities."     ■ Related Article [ITBiz News] Gansam USA Wins 2026 AIA Georgia Design Award. - Marking Its First Major Recognition in North America Five Years After U.S. Market Entry [The Korea Economic Daily] Gansam U.S. Wins Merit Award at the 2026 AIA Georgia Design Awards [The Segye Times] Gansam U.S. Receives AIA Georgia Design Award for ‘The Commons’ [Kukto Ilbo] Gansam U.S. Honored at the 2026 AIA Georgia Design Awards — Showcasing the Synergy of Korean High-Tech Design and Local U.S. Expertise     The Commons at a Battery Manufacturing Campus- · Location: Kingston, Georgia, USA· Program: Workplace & Employee Facilities· Site Area: 600 ac · Building Area: 220,221㎡ (The Commons – 6,908㎡) · Gross Floor Area: 304,231㎡ (The Commons - 10,445㎡) · Scale: 2  Above-Ground Floors

Kakao's second data center is based on Kakao's vision to become a world leader, It is a futuristic workplace where technology, people, and nature coexist in harmony. It expresses the stability and scalability of the data through solid mass and dynamic facades, New ways of communication and experience are captured through green spaces and collaboration spaces.       Watch this video on Gansam’s YouTube channel

▴ Delivering a High-Quality Urban Complex through User-Centered Design and Innovative Solutions for an Irregular Site   Receiving the construction merit commendation at the opening ceremony of the Sogong Nuri Center © Gansam   Gansam received a commendation for its contribution to the construction of the Sogong Nuri Center at the opening ceremony held on the 16th. Hosted by the Jung-gu Office of Seoul, the award recognizes contributions to creating a safe and comfortable administrative environment during both the construction of the Sogong Nuri Center and the relocation of the Sogong-dong Community Service Center. The Sogong Nuri Center is an administrative and welfare complex comprising three basement levels and eleven above-ground floors. Given the integration of multiple functions, efficient circulation and user-centered spatial planning were key design challenges. Since commencing the project in 2022, Gansam has led both the basic and detailed design, presenting a new model for high-rise urban mixed-use public facilities. The firm addressed the constraints of a triangular, irregular site through architectural solutions, clearly separating the core and office areas. In addition, the lower floors—from Level 1 to Level 4—are organized in a step-by-step manner with functions such as self-service civil document kiosks, public service offices, a community center, and senior lounges, separating circulation by function and enhancing user convenience. The upper levels accommodate various public programs, including a youth center. By incorporating feedback from relevant departments of the Jung-gu Office, the design realizes an efficient and comfortable administrative service environment for both residents and visitors.     Sogong Nuri Center ©Gansam   Gansam has contributed to enhancing the urban landscape and elevating architectural design standards in Jung-gu through the design of landmark projects such as Seosomun Districts 11 and 12, the Dongwha Pharm Headquarters, Centropolis, and the Samyang Building. The firm has also been actively involved in numerous urban renewal and redevelopment projects—including the Meritz Building, Supyo District Redevelopment, and the Namsan Square Remodeling—continuing its efforts to create a sustainable urban environment. Hyuk-Su Lee, Group Leader at Gansam who led the design, stated, “Given the complex and multi-functional nature of the Sogong Nuri Center, we focused on user-centered circulation and spatial efficiency.” He added, “We hope it will continue to serve as an open and accessible space for both local residents and visitors.”     ■ Related Article [ANNEWS] Opens as an Open Administrative Complex Enhancing Resident Convenience  

        Breaking the hospice's stereotype of an isolated facility away from the city center, Reinterpreted South London's abandoned chalet as a warm healing space. "Hospice in Motion" brings life back to life through connection, not disconnection, We propose a new hospice future where life and healing coexist       Watch this video on Gansam’s YouTube channel

▴ Establishing a Science and Engineering Cluster at Chung-Ang University — Completion Scheduled for the Second Half of 2029 ▴ Leveraging Site Topography to Integrate Campus, City, and Academic Functions   Groundbreaking ceremony touch-button moment for the construction of Chung-Ang University Building 205 © Gansam   A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, April 2, at the Jaeiunteu Stadium on the Seoul Campus of Chung-Ang University for the construction of Chung-Ang University Building 205, designed by Gansam Architects & Partners (hereinafter “Gansam”). The event was attended by approximately 200 guests, including Lee Hyun-soon, Chairman of the Chung-Ang University Foundation; Park Se-hyun, President of Chung-Ang University; Kim Bu-seop, President of the Alumni Association; and Kim Tae-sung, CEO of Gansam. Building 205 is a new education and research facility to be constructed on the Seoul Campus of Chung-Ang University, planned as a key hub within the university’s science and engineering cluster. The building will have a building area of 4,451.00㎡ and a total floor area of 56,739.96㎡, comprising four basement levels and thirteen above-ground floors, with completion scheduled for the second half of 2029. Chung-Ang University has set its transition toward a research-oriented institution as a major strategic goal and has continuously worked to strengthen both its research environment and support systems. According to the 2025 Survey of National Research Activities published by the National Research Foundation of Korea, the university ranks fifth nationwide among private comprehensive universities in terms of research funding. However, due to the constraints of a high-density urban campus, it has faced ongoing challenges related to spatial efficiency and capacity. With the construction of Building 205, the university plans to accelerate the development of its science and engineering cluster while advancing its research and education infrastructure.     Central view of Building 205 on the Chung-Ang University campus © Gansam   In his commemorative address, President Park Se-hyun stated, “Building 205 will house a clean room—the core of semiconductor research—alongside a convergence research center that connects all academic disciplines through AI, powered by big data technologies.” He added, “We aim to establish research centers focused on future industries at an early stage, creating an open platform where industry and academia can grow together.”   Convergence · Connectivity · Communication · Next Generation Gansam presented four key design principles for Chung-Ang University Building 205: convergence, connectivity, communication, and next generation. The building is designed to overlap and interconnect diverse academic disciplines, research fields, and student life spaces within a single structure. By closely linking the three axes of geography, academia, and the city, the project is realized as a next-generation campus core.   A Multi-Level Spatial Hub Connecting the Campus The site of Building 205 is located on a sloped terrain within a dense urban context, characterized by significant level differences. Rather than treating these conditions as constraints, the design transforms them into a continuous spatial flow, enabling multi-level access and connections across the campus. A vertical open space spanning from Basement Level 1 to the 3rd floor is introduced, with escalators simplifying circulation. Building 205 functions not only as a passage that enhances user mobility, but also as a central hub that physically connects the campus.     View of Chung-Ang University Building 205 set on a sloped site © Gansam   Expanding Academic Exchange Through Connected Spaces To function as a next-generation campus core, the building is planned as a platform that fosters active academic exchange by linking the library and the College of Engineering, which are located at different levels. In particular, the third floor connects directly to the College of Engineering and accommodates a spacious shared area, a stepped lecture hall, and a cafeteria, supporting diverse forms of interaction. From the fourth to the twelfth floors, the building is organized with research rooms and laboratories, providing infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale and long-term interdisciplinary research.   A Top-Level Community Lounge for Learning and Relaxation The top floor, Level 13, is designed as a community lounge where learning and relaxation coexist. It features a student lounge with views of the Han River and a multipurpose hall with a capacity of 400 seats. Generous ceiling heights and expansive openings allow natural light to penetrate deep into the interior. Overlooking both the Han River and the campus, this space is accessible to all members of Chung-Ang University, serving as a shared retreat that offers a sense of openness and respite within the urban environment.   Joowon Jung, Head of Division at Gansam and the lead architect of Building 205, stated, “We aimed to demonstrate, through architectural language, that a wide range of educational spaces can be realized even within the constraints of a limited site.” He added, “We hope the building will become a next-generation campus core that encourages active communication and exchange.”     ■ Related Article [Kukto Ilbo] Chung-Ang University Building 205, Designed by Gansam, Breaks Ground — Expanding Future AX Engineering Infrastructure     Chung-Ang University Building 205- · Location: 

▴ Three landmark innovations driving key transitions in Korea's industry  ▴ Excellence demonstrated through 77 data center designs, UAM vertiport development, and Korea's first timber apartment complex   Taesung Kim, President of Gansam (right), receives the Technology Innovation Award at the 2026 National Industry Awards ceremony hosted by the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies. ⓒIPS Gansam has been named a recipient of the Technology Innovation Award at the 2026 National Industry Awards (9th National Industry Awards), hosted by the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies. The recognition honors Gansam's three pioneering achievements: leadership in data center design, advancement of UAM (Urban Air Mobility) vertiport infrastructure, and the development of Korea's first timber apartment complex — each representing a critical turning point in Korea's industrial transformation driven through architecture.   Leading Korea's Digital Infrastructure with the Most Data Center Designs Over the past two decades, Gansam has completed 77 data center projects, holding the most data center design experience of any firm in Korea. As major domestic and international IT companies accelerate investment in hyperscale data centers, Gansam continues to lead digital infrastructure development with integrated expertise spanning high-density facility planning, power systems, cooling, security, and structural resilience.   Notable projects include the LG CNS Busan Data Center — the first IDC in Korea to employ seismic isolation structures — the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology HPC Center, the first HPC facility in Korea to introduce liquid cooling technology, and the Samsung Electronics DS HPC Center, the first HPC center in Korea to achieve LEED Platinum certification. Gansam is further expanding its capabilities through data center projects aligned with global hyperscaler standards, including an AI data center in Indonesia — the first overseas data center project undertaken by a Korean firm.   Samsung Electronics DS HPC Center, designed by Gansam. The first HPC center in Korea to achieve LEED Platinum certification. ⓒJeong Dong-wook     Pioneering UAM Vertiport Design — Korea's First Urban Air Mobility Infrastructure Model Gansam became the first Korean architectural firm to participate in UAM vertiport infrastructure design, developing a new design methodology that integrates aviation, transportation, urban planning, and architecture. By redefining challenges in safety, noise, circulation, and airspace through an architectural lens, Gansam contributed to establishing the ground-based framework for Korea's UAM industry ecosystem — a contribution recognized with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Commendation in 2025.   Korea's first tourism-oriented vertiport project designed by Gansam — Jeju Vertiport Project (2 FATO, 6 Gates) ⓒGansam     Korea's First Timber Apartment Complex — A Green Housing Experiment Toward Carbon Neutrality Through the Gaeunsan Village project in Jongam-dong, Seoul, Gansam is pioneering Korea's first timber apartment complex. To apply mass timber construction — proven in carbon reduction — to large-scale multi-family housing for the first time, Gansam is undertaking comprehensive technical innovation: proactively interpreting relevant regulations and structural codes, developing new approaches to fire resistance, and restructuring conventional reinforced concrete-centric construction practices. Upon completion, the project is expected to serve as a landmark green housing model that demonstrates architecture's potential for carbon reduction.   Creating a 'Better Landscape of Life' Through Technical Innovation Guided by the vision of a "Better Landscape of Life," Gansam's team of over 700 architects, urban planners, landscape architects, and specialists pursues integrated design that addresses social, economic, and environmental challenges through architecture. CEO Taijip Kim commented: "This award reflects recognition that Gansam has been preparing — through architecture — for the key transitions in Korea's industry, from digital infrastructure and future mobility to sustainable housing. We will continue to create landscapes where people, cities, and the environment grow together, grounded in technical innovation."       Related Articles [Dong-A Ilbo] Korea's Most Data Center Designs… Pioneering Innovation in Timber Housing [Kukto Ilbo] Gansam Wins Technology Innovation Award at '2026 National Industry Awards'… Recognized for Three Innovations: Korea's Most Data Center Designs, UAM Vertiport, and Timber Housing

Centre Pompidou Hanwha set within the urban fabric of Yeouido. A white horizontal mass forms a soft band of light along the city street. © Wilmotte & Associés   Gansam has participated as the local design partner in the Centre Pompidou Hanwha, which is set to open on June 4 at the 63 Building in Yeouido, Seoul.    Centre Pompidou Hanwha is a multi-purpose cultural complex developed through a partnership between the Hanwha Cultural Foundation and the Centre Pompidou in France. The project transforms the annex of the 63 Building through a comprehensive remodeling.   The architectural design was led by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte of Wilmotte & Associés, with Gansam serving as the local design partner. Gansam carried out structural and regulatory reviews, as well as adjustments to constructability, detailing, and material finishes, translating the original design into a buildable solution aligned with local codes and site conditions.   Based on the concept of “subtraction,” Wilmotte reinterpreted the former banquet halls, wedding venues, and conference facilities by hollowing out the existing interior and revealing exhibition spaces within the original steel structure. By leveraging the inherent potential of the structure, the space has been reorganized into two large-scale exhibition halls of approximately 1,650 square meters each, designed as modular environments capable of accommodating a wide range of exhibition formats.   Beneath the golden tower of the 63 Building, Centre Pompidou Hanwha is conceived as a ‘box of light.’ The contrast between vertical and horizontal forms establishes a new cultural plinth in Yeouido. © Wilmotte & Associés   The exterior is conceived as a monumental “box of light,” contrasting with the verticality of the golden 63 Building tower. The white horizontal mass extending along the podium appears as a soft band of light during the day, while at night it transforms into a luminous horizon along the Han River, reminiscent of a beacon within the urban landscape.   The rhythm of light and materials that begins at the exterior extends into the interior, weaving the entire space into a continuous narrative. © Wilmotte & Associés   Inside, the rhythm established by the exterior continues seamlessly. Grey limestone and light grey terrazzo form a calm spatial backdrop, while curved translucent glass unfolds along the circulation path like a gentle wave. This interplay of materials and light creates a cohesive and serene exhibition environment, guiding visitors through the space as a continuous narrative.   Demolition site of the B1 level of the annex, future museum lobby. The main tower of the 63 Building rises beyond the atrium. August 2024. © Gansam co. ltd   This remodeling project presented significant technical challenges, as it required the phased demolition and reinforcement of the annex and basement structures while maintaining the operation of the main tower. Given that the building was originally constructed in the 1980s, outdated structural systems, MEP infrastructure, and fire safety and egress standards had to be comprehensively upgraded to meet current regulations. In addition, discrepancies between existing drawings and on-site conditions required continuous on-site coordination and adaptive problem-solving.   The successful completion of the project was supported by Gansam’s extensive experience with the 63 Building, having been involved for over two decades in its ongoing renewal projects, including the main tower refurbishment, annex expansion, and the design of facilities such as the aquarium and duty-free shops.   Lee seunghan, the lead architect at Gansam, stated, “Centre Pompidou Hanwha is a project that establishes a new cultural base in Yeouido by introducing a horizontal ‘box of light’ beneath the iconic golden tower of the 63 Building. As the local design partner, we focused on carefully bridging the gap between Wilmotte’s design intent and Korea’s environmental, technical, and regulatory conditions, translating the concept into a built reality based on our long-standing experience with the 63 Building.”    

  ▴ First facility by Hana The Next Life Care Co., Ltd.… Completion scheduled for August 2027▴ A park-type community care space pursuing “a dignified life like home” in the era of a super-aged society▴ Establishment of a “Zero-Hazard Zone” with enhanced psychological visibility… fall prevention and barrier-free design “Hana The Next Life Care Senior Living Facility” Breaks Ground Ceremony ⓒGansam   The groundbreaking ceremony for the “Hana The Next Life Care Senior Living Facility,” designed by Gansam, was held on March 27 at the project site located at 1044-1 and 1044-2, Jichuk-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. This project marks the first senior living facility developed by Hana The Next Life Care Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Hana Life.   CEO’s Congratulatory Remarks at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the “Hana The Next Life Care Senior Living Facility” ⓒGansam   The Shift in Senior Care Spaces in a Super-Aged Society According to Statistics Korea, the population aged 65 and over exceeded 10.51 million as of the end of 2025, accounting for more than 20.3% of the total population, officially entering a super-aged society. The number of long-term care beneficiaries is also rapidly increasing, with approximately 1.07 million certified recipients as of 2024, according to the National Health Insurance Service. As demand grows, expectations for the quality of care services are also rising. While traditional senior care facilities have focused on medical efficiency, there is now a paradigm shift toward ensuring psychological stability, dignity, and autonomy in daily life. The “Hana The Next Life Care Senior Living Facility” is gaining attention as a spatial realization of this transformation.   “Hana The Next Life Care Senior Living Facility” Rendering1 ⓒGansam   Expansion of Public Senior Care Experience into a Premium Urban Facility Hana Life launched its senior-focused brand “HANA THE NEXT” in 2024, providing integrated financial and non-financial life care solutions for the senior generation. Since 2009, Hana Financial Group has accumulated operational experience in senior care through “Hana Care Center,” operated by the Hana Financial Foundation. This project in Jichuk-dong expands that expertise into a premium urban senior living facility. The development consists of two basement levels and seven above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 8,476.18㎡, and is scheduled for completion in August 2027.   A Park-Type Community Care Space Where Dignity and Daily Life Flow Gansam focused on embodying two core values in the design: “complete independence” and “safe connectivity.” The key design principles are ▲Individualized dignity ▲Home-like comfort ▲Community vitality, aiming to ensure residents’ autonomy in choosing and enjoying their daily routines. Barrier-free design and fall prevention were prioritized to create an environment where residents can move freely and build relationships without excessive intervention from caregivers.   “Hana The Next Life Care Senior Living Facility” Rendering2 ⓒGansam   Everyday Life Activated on Every Floor The core of the facility is the “Integrated Social Hub.” Moving beyond the static living room concept of traditional care facilities, it is designed as an open community space where various activities such as art, music, and cooking intersect. This hub fosters natural interaction and emotional bonds among residents, serving as a dynamic anchor of daily life.   Circulation spaces are also reimagined as experiential paths that stimulate memory and encourage spontaneous encounters. Leveraging views of Bukhansan Mountain, the design incorporates scenic rest areas. Additionally, small-scale “Pocket Therapy Spaces” are distributed throughout the building, offering activities such as foot baths, hobbies, and sensory stimulation to enhance psychological comfort and vitality.    Safety design is seamlessly integrated with spatial philosophy. Open care stations are placed on every floor, allowing caregivers to visually monitor living and activity areas centered around the Integrated Social Hub. This ensures both resident autonomy and immediate response capability through a barrier-free control system in case of emergencies. Gansam has designed a total of 25 senior care facilities, continuously building expertise in this field. This project reflects that accumulated experience, creating a balanced environment where dignity in daily life and care stability coexist.   Heo Yuri, Senior Architect at Gansam, who led the design, stated: “I constantly asked myself what kind of senior living space I would want to stay in someday. The answer became clear: a space where one can lead daily life according to one’s own will. By implementing ‘complete independence’ and ‘safe connectivity’ through spatial strategies, we aimed to create not a passive facility, but a home where dignity flows and residents become the protagonists of their own lives.”     ■ Related Article [Kukto Ilbo] Gansam-designed “Hana The Next Life Care Senior Living Facility” Breaks Ground… A Park-Type Community Care Space to Be Created    Hana The Next Life Care Senior Living Facility   · Location: 1044-1, Jichuk-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do · Program: Facility for the Elderly and Children · Site Area: 1,695.10 ㎡ · Building Area: 1,008.99 ㎡ · Gross Floor Area: 8,476.18 ㎡ · Scale: 2 Basement Levels, 7 Above-Ground Floors   · Project Team Architecture: Heo Yuri, JinJae Kim, YooJin Seo, ChaeWon Jin

      Gangwon-do Province in February,  where white snow is piled up. It's a combination of neat architecture and snowscape, You can relax in the snowball-like scenery Let me introduce the Bongpyeong Training Center of Gansam Architecture.       Watch this video on Gansam’s YouTube channel