The Award-Winning Tamburins Seongsu Flagship Store

The Tamburins Seongsu Flagship Store in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, is a fusion of architecture, light, and brand identity. Designed by The System Lab with lighting expertise from EONSLD, this space pushes the boundaries of conventional retail design. Recognized with Frame Awards 2024 for Best Use of Light and Single-Brand Store of the Year, the project redefines how lighting can shape architectural experiences while reinforcing the brand’s ethos of exploring beauty through scent.

Reinterpreting the Space

At the heart of the Tamburins Seongsu store’s design is a reinterpretation of its existing structure. The architects sought to preserve the grandeur of the original building while redefining it with contemporary elements. Transparent glass walls dominate the facade, creating a seamless interaction between the interior and exterior. This design dissolves traditional boundaries, allowing light and structure to interplay dynamically. The lighting design amplifies this effect by highlighting the building’s silhouette and emphasizing its verticality, enhancing the structure’s overall sense of presence.

Lighting as an Extension of Identity

EONSLD’s lighting concept draws inspiration from the brand’s identity, evoking the subtle yet transformative qualities of fragrance. Lighting becomes a narrative element, mimicking the diffusion of perfume through soft, glowing effects. By employing recessed fixtures, the lighting remains understated, illuminating the space while remaining visually unobtrusive. The interplay between light and glass transforms the building into a beacon, attracting passersby with its mist-like, glowing ambience. This approach integrates the brand’s essence into the spatial design, enriching the sensory experience.

Invisible Yet Impactful

A key aspect of the lighting design is the concept of “invisible light.” EONSLD’s meticulous execution ensures that light sources are recessed and out of direct sight, minimizing glare while maintaining a warm, inviting glow. This method not only enhances visual comfort but also underscores the importance of lighting as a design material. EONSLD’s philosophy is rooted in using light to refine and articulate space, an idea reflected in the CEO Jeong Mee’s assertion that “light must be poured out last to bring out the form.”

Function Meets Artistic Expression

The Tamburins Seongsu Flagship Store is more than a retail space; it’s a multi-sensory environment that merges function with artistic expression. While fulfilling its purpose as a single-brand store, it transcends typical retail design by creating an atmosphere that draws people into a world of light, structure, and scent. The architectural forms and lighting create a sense of harmony and curiosity, aligning with Tamburins’ mission of redefining beauty.

Technical Sheet