Mass Studies to design “Seoul Cinematheque” film cultural complex

Out of five invited domestic and international architecture firms, Minsuk Cho's Mass Studies had the winning proposal for a film art complex tentatively named “Seoul Cinematheque”, in the historic Chungmuro film industry hub in Seoul. Today, the Seoul Metropolitan Government revealed the first design rendering.

Proposed for a public parking lot, Seoul Cinematheque is a long-awaited project for the district. With a floor area of 4,800㎡, the commercial building will feature 10 levels above ground and three underground levels where people can enjoy film screenings of various genres.

The complex will feature a large theater that can seat up to 300 people on the first and second levels underground. A small 150-seat theater will occupy the first and second levels above ground, and a medium 200-seat theater will occupy the fifth and sixth levels above ground. Plus, there will be an open-air theater on the roof top that can accommodate up to 150 people.

The building's visual media center will come equipped with a recording room, color correction room, and storage space for equipment rentals for people who want to produce their own movies. The complex will also feature a flexible classroom for up to 180 people, film archive, cafe, bookstore, souvenir shop, and an elevator that will offer views of Namsan Mountain. 

The competition jury praised Mass Studies' proposal for the way its “space composition is balanced and practical, and the relationship between affiliated facilities like movie theaters and the archive is fresh.” The project is currently slated for a February 2021 opening.