By stepping into another city’s architectural landscape, we gain insights that desk research alone can’t provide. In mid-May 2025, ETAN Studio’s Principal Architect and Principal of Interior Design joined Atelier Riri’s AR-TRIP “Urban Wonders: The Architecture of Seoul”—our studio’s first participation in this program.

WHAT IS AR-TRIP?

AR-TRIP began in Jakarta as an internal exploration, born from the belief that architects benefit most by experiencing buildings in person. In 2024, it opened to the public with a trip to Japan; in May 2025, Atelier Riri welcomed both architects and enthusiasts to South Korea under the theme “Urban Wonders: The Architecture of Seoul.” Each itinerary combines site visits, studio meetings, and cultural exchange, offering a close look at how design and daily life intersect.

WHY WE JOINED

We saw three clear benefits:

1. Direct study of Seoul’s recent landmarks to inform our own design vocabulary.
2. Networking opportunities with peer firms.
3. Alignment with our vision—to leave every space better than we first found it—by observing how Seoul’s architects respond to a dense urban context.

PLACES WE VISITED

• The Imprint at Paradise City – MVRDV: A theatrical concrete façade that mimics its surroundings, blending monumentality with the playful illusion of a city built for spectacle.
• National Museum of the World Writing Systems – SAMOO Architects & Engineers: Celebrates intangible heritage through carefully composed forms.
• Songdo Central Park & Urban History Museum: Demonstrations of green integration and heritage interpretation.
• Tri-Bowl – iArc Architects: A floating structure over a reflection pool, challenging conventional architectural forms.
• Leeum Museum of Art – Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, Rem Koolhaas (OMA): A convergence of traditional and contemporary art spaces.
• Graphic Bookstore – OONN Metaworks & U.LAB: A tiered, windowless form takes its shape from the well-worn pages of an old book, housing graphic novels, comic books, and art and design books.
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) – Zaha Hadid Architects with SAMOO Architects & Engineers: A sweeping biomorphic envelope serving as a cultural hub.
• Songeun Art & Cultural Foundation – Herzog & de Meuron: A cultural anchor inviting public engagement and broadening exposure of artists.
• Starfield Library (COEX Mall) – Gensler: A multi-storey book haven with towering bookshelves, serving as a cultural center.
• Ewha Womans University Campus Complex – Dominique Perrault Architecture with Baum Architects: Seamlessly integrated into the sloping hillside, creating a landscape of its own.
• Seosomun Shrine History Museum – Interkerd Architects, VOID Architects, LESS Architects: A cultural and assembly space reviving historical narratives.
• MMCA (National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art), Seoul – Hyunjun Mihn, MPART Architects: A space for modern and contemporary art exhibitions.
• Gyeongbokgung Palace: A historic royal palace offering insights into traditional Korean architecture.
• Bukchon Hanok Village: A traditional village preserving Korean hanok houses.
• Seoul City Hall & Plaza: A blend of modern administrative functions with public open spaces.
• Wandering around Seongsu District: Tamburins Seongsu Flagship Store, Dior Café, TETO Flagship Store, Foreplan Café.

EXTENDED STAY EXPLORATIONS

• Cheonggyecheon Stream: An urban renewal project that transformed a once-polluted sewer into a revitalized public space.
• Gyeongui Line Forest Park: A linear park repurposed from a disused railway line, providing green space in the city.
• Sulwhasoo Flagship Store & Spa – Neri & Hu: A spa experience combining traditional Korean aesthetics with modern design.
• Coffee Nap Roasters – Design Studio MAOOM: A local café offering a cozy atmosphere and specialty coffee.

STUDIO AND PROJECT VISITS

1. Society of Architecture (SoA) – Founded by Yerin Kang and Chi Hoon Lee, SoA balances research, public art, and practice. Their “Yoonseul” public-space project illustrates how architecture can serve social needs without losing design ambition.
2. Platform L Contemporary Art Center – Joho Architecture: Led by Jeong Hoon Lee (formerly of Zaha Hadid and Shigeru Ban), this visit highlighted the integration of international experience with local craftsmanship.

REFLECTIONS & INSIGHTS

During presentations and Q&A, we were struck by two things:

• Work–life balance: SoA’s founders demonstrated that running a practice and maintaining personal commitments can go hand in hand.
• Blending global and local methods: Joho Architecture’s approach—combining large-practice techniques with local materials and crafts—resonates with our aim to make each project rooted in its context.

Overall, AR-TRIP gave us new perspectives on how architecture can connect with community and craft. We return to Indonesia with fresh ideas about how to enrich each space we touch—true to our commitment of leaving every place better than we found it.

Keywords: AR Trip, Architectural Trip, Architect Indonesia, Architect Surabaya, Arsitek Indonesia, Arsitek Surabaya