The Yellow Diamond, designed by Jun Mitsui & Associates Architects + Unsangdong Architects and located in Seoul, South Korea, is an interesting building. There’s no other way to really put it accurately. The unmistakable and unmissable gold facade is certainly the most catching element of the building- in a way, it defines the building. It is both abstract and nonuniform while showing clear signs of repetition and structural order.
Envisioned as a place where emerging artists could grow their work and exhibit it, it was designed to contain an inherent energy which would inspire and add to the artistic energies of its inhabitants.
The yellow-gold, angled panels of fritted glass give the building a uniquely gem-like appearance; a fun fact- yellow diamonds are diamonds which form in the presence of nitrogen.
Cutting through the pedestrian level of the building is a throughway, allowing public passage through and potentially into, the building. Offered along this walk are continuously changing views reflecting off of the faceted glass, glimpses at the interior of the building, and a sense of excitement and intrigue.
It is hard not to think of the old cliché phrase of ‘diamond in the rough’ when taking the Yellow Diamond building in amongst its neighbors. Diamond in the rough, yellow diamond in the rough.
By Matt Davis
Courtesy of Jun Mitsui & Associates Architects + Unsangdong Architects