Four Seasons Seoul

(South Korea)

Client: Mirea Asset Global Investments CO., LTD

Completed in: 2015

Scope of Work: Public Areas, Spa, 321 Guestroom Suites

This project was conceived and delivered during Su Seam's tenure at LTW Designworks.

Korea’s heritage is the literal foundation for the design of this hotel. Four Seasons Seoul stands in the heart of Gwanghwamun in the Jongno district of Seoul, where early excavations unearthed a street dating back at least five hundred years. For an immersive hospitality experience that’s timeless yet reminiscent of the traditional, the welcome area features an elaborate pavilion-shaped structure—inspired by the Hanok (a traditional Korean house)—with translucent panels, creating the delicate feel of a privileged space. The solid timber beams that encircle it are a further homage to Korea’s early architectural style.

(Inspiration)

Elegant. Layered. Timeless.

A Mapped

Narrative

The design narrative begins with a map. A poetic cartography of the ancient road leading to Gyeongbokgung Palace. That path, once uncovered through excavation, now lives on in the heart of the hotel: cast subtly into the fireplace, its lines recalling both journey and destination.

Heritage in

Architecture

Gong-jo-gil is a window to Seoul’s past. Our inspiration comes from the fragments of history around Gong-jo-gil, such as the 600-year-old street, the structure of Hanok (the Korean traditional house), ceramics and the Gaenari trees that line the street. This oasis in the pulsating heart of the city seamlessly blends past and present, form and function, sophistication and simplicity.

Hanbok-Inspired

Spatial Language

The design is grounded in the Hanbok’s quiet elegance—its fluid lines, layered forms and architectural simplicity. Its pleats, curves and gentle rhythms are reinterpreted into textures, contours and spatial patterns, complemented by the soft, rounded purity of the moon jar.

Traditional Forms

Reimagined

Heritage cues from the saw-toothed rooflines of nearby palaces further shape the space, with these traditional geometries reimagined into contemporary ceilings, screens and spatial sequences.