The company produces textiles, chemicals, and sustainable
technologies as well as original athletic and ready-to-wear
clothing lines across its 38 divisions. Kolon’s all-encompassing
scope allowed the company to draw from its own resources to
construct the new facility, christened the Kolon One & Only Tower,
and assume a unique position as both client and contractor.
Fifteen percent, or approximately 123,000 square feet, is devoted
to active social spaces, supporting Chairman Lee’s vision of
creating collaborative and interdisciplinary spaces that prioritize
employees’ well-being. Fifty-five percent of the building is
laboratory space, with the remainder designed for offices.
“Working with a company like Kolon, that also has innovation
at its core, allowed us to really push the limits of materials,
technology, and design to create a building that is visually
striking and sustainable,” said Morphosis Founding Principal
Thom Mayne. “From the outset, our team worked in collaboration
with Kolon to realize their vision for this new space that will
serve the research needs of the company well into the future.”
Kolon is one of the first firms to move its R&D operations to Magok,
a new hub for technology and light industry, setting the standard
for performance and design in the district. Seoul Metropolitan
Government is leading an initiative to transform the district
into an “industrial ecosystem” where a range of technology and
information companies can relocate their operations centers.
The five-acre project site sits adjacent to Magok’s central park—a
prominent location for what will be the district’s first major
completed building.
THE FIVE-ACRE PROJECT SITE SITS ADJACENT
TO MAGOK’S CENTRAL PARK—A PROMINENT
LOCATION FOR WHAT WILL BE THE DISTRICT’S
FIRST MAJOR COMPLETED BUILDING.