The Korea Exchange Bank Head Office is a building that symbolically reflects the rapid growth of the finance industry in modern Korea and the proliferation of banking and other office buildings. The project was part of the Myeong-dong District Redevelopment Project that was taking place in Seoul at the time, and began with the first-place selection of the company’s entry in a design competition in 1973. A total of 28 stories – onsidered a super high-rise structure at the time – the building’s exterior is characterized by its heavy, browntone mass, which is slightly different from the competition proposal that featured a light design. However, the Brazilian granite and azalea-hue tile finish add a gentle feeling to the building, also contributing to the realization of a dynamic urban sensation.
