MCM has opened a pop-up store in Hongdae, in the heart of
Seoul’s urban arts and indie music scene and a multi-cultural metropolitan
attraction. Taking a cue from Bauhaus culture, MCM’s latest store references laboratories,
craft ateliers and design studios. Dubbed a mini megastore, the space integrates
exhibition spaces, workshops and installation displays, and seeks to offer original experiences with each visit.
 |
| MCM's pop-up store in Hongdae, Seoul |
Experimental atmosphere
Designed with an industrial touch, the latest pop-up features
exposed rafters and open ceilings, perpendicular to murals of uncovered walls
and wooden joists. Fitted with iron
girders adjacent to metallic supports, each wall is fixed with configurable
hooks offering limitless options for unexpected displays. The latest space also
features chalkboards and ladder shelves, enhancing the experimental atmosphere.
The unconventional layout features a first-time floorplan
that can be reconfigured and rearranged in sections. Transforming from an
exhibition space to a workspace, MCM’s pop-up is fitted with moveable furniture
that can be deconstructed and assembled like jigsaw pieces. From tripod shelves
to scaffolding mantelpieces, the pop-up destination features podiums composed
of taping boxes and packing crates as well as plastic buckets and wooden
palettes. Emulating a construction zone, the latest space serves as a canvas
for creativity, welcoming visitors to experiment with their styles and explore fresh
ideas while encouraging recycling and upcycling through its renewable materials,
MCM said.
 |
| MCM's pop-up store has an industrial feel |
Gallery space for artists
The pop-up playground also serves as a gallery space for
artists and innovators from the company’s M:AZIT KUNST project. Situated
alongside plastic boxes, fence walls and MCM’s lifestyle collections, the store
features an array of books, sculptures and 3D installations amid the pop-up’s
interior palette of contrasting primaries and neutral tones.
The outer façade is designed with an asymmetrical series of
tessellations, inspired by the signature diamond in the MCM logo. Fitted with a
perforated metal panel, the exterior serves as a nod to the leaves in the MCM
laurel, complete with a Bauhaus-inspired geometry. The exterior pays homage to
the interior constructionist concept with a series of diagonal contours. By nightfall, the outer support framework
glows with a series of incandescent LED backlights that alternate between
cobalt hues and lilac tones.
 |
| The interior serves as a gallery space for artists and innovators |
Renowned for its eclectic themed cafes and nightlife
culture, the Hongdae district has achieved notoriety for its street arts,
underground musicians, festivals and performances, as well as music concerts
featuring independent artists and mainstream entertainers alike. Hongdae is
also home to independent clothing stalls and vintage shops alongside upmarket
brand stores.
The store is open from August to December 2015.
