For Audeum, the world’s first museum focused on sound equipment in Seoul, the celebrated Japanese architect crafts a nature-inspired sanctuary where architecture becomes an instrument of sensory exploration.
By Himanshu Garg
11 Aug 2024
Designed by Kengo Kuma in Seoul, Audeum is the world's first museum focused on sound equipment | Image Courtesy of Yongbaek Lee
With the recent opening of Audeum, the world’s first museum dedicated to the art and science of sound, Seoul’s burgeoning cultural landscape welcomes a new landmark. Nestled in the upmarket residential neighborhood of Seocho-gu, the project is the brainchild of Michael Chung, founder of Korean audio specialist Silbatone Acoustics, who wanted to establish a place to “promote culture and the arts with sound at center stage.” The result is a mesmerizing spectacle designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma — a harmonious blend of nature and technology where architecture itself becomes an instrument of sensory exploration.
Layers of randomly arranged aluminum pipes wrap the museum to create a structure resembling a forest | Image Courtesy of Namsun Lee
Kuma's vision for the museum was to create a "structure that resembles a forest," a sanctuary where visitors could experience sound in its purest form. The building’s exterior, therefore, is made of aluminum pipes, arranged in a seemingly random pattern to mimic the dappled light filtering through a forest canopy. "We aimed to recreate the subtle changes in light that occur in a forest due to weather, time of day, and changing seasons," says Kuma of the dynamic design that he hopes echoes the organic rhythms of nature.
Light in the museum mimics the dappled light through a forest canopy | Image Courtesy of Yongbaek Lee
The journey into the museum begins with a grand staircase, reminiscent of a valley carved into the landscape. Rough-hewn stone walls guide visitors on their descent, providing a tactile experience. Emerging from the staircase, they are welcomed into the building through a glass facade. Partially obscured by the continuation of the aluminum louvers that gracefully curve overhead, this forms a symbolic threshold between the urban environment and the museum's serene interior.
At the entrance, part of the aluminum envelope is exposed to reveal the glass facade underneath | Image Courtesy of Namsun Lee
Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted by the warm aroma of Alaskan cypress panels, a sensory prelude to the immersive journey ahead; the lobby also features aluminum pipes, echoing the exterior design and creating a dialogue between nature and the built environment. “The wood softens the sound and opens up human senses, bringing people closer to nature," says Kuma. His signature "wood drape," a unique design element where the wood's width varies randomly, lines the walls of the exhibition rooms, creating a soft, natural aesthetic.
The aluminum pipes alongside the Alaskan Cypress panels create a dialogue between nature and the built environment | Image Courtesy of Namsun Lee
Kuma’s signature “wood drapes” marked by varying widths of wood line the walls of the exhibition rooms | Image Courtesy of Yongbaek Lee
The central gallery is a sanctuary of sound, where the interplay of light and fabric creates a serene atmosphere. "We wanted to use fabric, leveraging its softness to maximize the potential of sound," he explains. The fabric not only enhances the acoustics but also forms a flower-like structure that complements the various audio equipment on display. Meanwhile, a large aperture framing a panoramic view of the city provides a visual counterpoint to the auditory journey.
Interplay of light and fabric creates a sanctuary of sound in the central gallery | Image Courtesy of Talki Fukao
Audeum's inaugural exhibition Jung Eum: In Search of Sound invites visitors to delve into the history of sound reproduction. Drawing on Chung's deep expertise in audio and the legacy of his company, the exhibit showcases a meticulously curated collection of audio equipment including rarities such as the Edison phonograph and the Western Electric loudspeaker, which trace the quest for "good sound" and its impact on music, culture, and society. "Moving forward, I believe that vision alone cannot heal people,” says Kuma. “To heal and support humanity, sound is essential.”
And his design for Audeum is a testament to this belief — of his vision of architecture as a catalyst for human connection and healing. From the cool touch of the stone walls at the grand staircase and the warm embrace of the fabric-clad gallery, to the subtle aroma of Alaskan cypress and the dappled sunlight dancing through aluminum louvers, the museum orchestrates a symphony of sensory delights, each fostering a profound connection between mind, body, and environment.
