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spaces to return to | Seoul
귀소
Eert
tea house | Mangwon-dong
망원동
Workment
Time slows here. The ritual of tea becomes an invitation — to pause, reflect, and immerse oneself in a moment of quiet presence.
Stepping inside, the hum of the city dissolves into an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. The warmth of natural wood, the softness of muted tones, and the glow of gentle lighting come together in harmony, creating a space that feels at once modern and timeless. Every element, from handcrafted teaware to the carefully arranged seating, reflects a philosophy of simplicity and intention.
The Korean tea ceremony is a reflection of this philosophy — an art form rooted in centuries of tradition, where presence is cultivated with every movement. It transforms the ordinary into something profound, offering a sanctuary of calm amidst the noise of everyday life. Like a well-designed space, it fosters connection, encouraging us to embrace stillness and intentionality.
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Bukchon House Cafe
cafe | Bukchon
북촌
Boundaries Architects
From the quiet ritual of tea to a space steeped in Seoul’s history, the journey continues in Bukchon House Cafe — a sanctuary where tradition and tranquility converge.
Housed within a Hanok, this space seamlessly integrates traditional architecture with contemporary comfort — elegantly blending the city’s timeless past with its vibrant present. Wooden beams frame the interior, light filters through elegant windows, and every detail reflects a quiet reverence for the past. It is not just a cafe; it is a place to feel.
Peace is found in simplicity. In a city that never sleeps, this space offers a moment to step back, breathe, and savor the moment. It reminds us that stillness is not about stopping, but about moving with intention.
Acoffee
cafe | Jongno-gu
종로구
Creative Studio Unravel
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Beyond history, stillness takes on a new form at Acoffee — where minimalism shapes a sense of calm in the midst of movement. Located in a quiet alley amid Seoul’s bustling streets, this cafe offers a sanctuary for those seeking solace.
The space is an exercise in restraint. Soft, natural light filters through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting gentle shadows that shift throughout the day. The act of sitting still becomes an art, where time stretches softly, and the presence of the space unfolds.
— design guides experience. Seating arrangements encourage quiet contemplation, with nooks that allow visitors to sink into their own world, accompanied by the rich aroma of freshly brewed espresso.
Presence deepens in nature’s quiet rhythm — where silence reveals, and time fades.
현존
The rhythm of the city fades, replaced by the raw elegance of industrial textures and warm, ambient light. Anthracite stands as a seamless blend of past and present, where artistry and history converge to create a space that feels both rugged and refined.
The design philosophy embraces imperfection, with rough-hewn materials and an organic layout that fosters discovery. Secluded corners offer space for introspection, while communal tables invite quiet connection. Every surface tells a story — one of transformation, resilience, and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship.
Housed in a former shoe factory, the space masterfully repurposes its industrial roots to create a unique and inspiring environment for coffee enthusiasts and design lovers alike.
“Design as philosophy. A place where intention is woven into every detail — where absence is as meaningful as presence, and imperfection reveals beauty in its purest form.”
Yyyyynnn
cafe | Samcheong-dong
삼청동
Creative Studio Unravel
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cafe | Designer
At its core, Korean interior design is about creating spaces that tell a story — of tradition, innovation, and the human desire for connection.
Yyyyynnn is a reflection of this culture. Here, design is more than aesthetics; it is a philosophy deeply rooted in harmony, functionality, and storytelling. From the moment you approach, the architecture draws you in, guiding you into an environment where every element has been considered with care.
Revealing a serene embrace of stillness, where every detail invites a meditative pause. The intentional design came alive in the interplay of light and shadow, crafting a tranquil harmony that flowed effortlessly between two balanced spaces. The minimalist aesthetic was not just seen — it was felt, embodying a quiet tranquility that resonated in every corner of the space.
The cafe’s name, Yyyyynnn, reflects the concept of duality and impermanence — capturing life’s ongoing interplay of affirmation and negation, light and shadow, fullness and emptiness. Its concrete façade is an ode to minimalism, where imperfection is intentional. Inspired by the philosophy of wabi-sabi, it reminds visitors to embrace the beauty of the unfinished, the imperfect, the transient.
This space invites visitors to slow down, savor the moment, and leave with a deeper appreciation for the beauty that surrounds them — both seen and unseen.
spaces to return to — not only in place, but in presence
— Maurits van Wijk
Seoul moves with a rhythm of its own — dynamic, yet layered with moments of quiet. Within its energy, certain spaces offer a retreat: where time slows and presence deepens. This series captures places designed with that intention — where light shifts gently across textured surfaces, where silence holds space, and where design invites stillness.
Each space in this series holds an atmosphere that lingers — a quiet resonance shaped by materiality, proportion, and the subtleties of spatial awareness. The interplay of light and shadow, the warmth of natural elements, the way a space allows for solitude or soft conversation — these details create an experience felt beyond its design. This series explores the feeling these spaces evoke — an invitation to presence within the city’s movement, framed in stillness.
Stillness is not the absence of movement, but the presence of awareness. In a city that never sleeps, these spaces remind us to pause, observe, and simply be.
