The Samil-ro Building, completed in 1970, is Korea’s first skyscraper constructed entirely by domestic technicians from design through construction. Before the 63 Building, it was Korea’s tallest skyscraper, but over 50 years the facility deteriorated significantly. Junglim Architecture collaborated with One O One Architects to rediscover the original values imbued by architect Kim Chung-up and to ensure the building remains a sustainable architectural heritage representative of its long-standing form.

The Junglim design team pursued a renovation focused on preserving the building’s heritage according to current regulations. They reinforced the interior structure and improved the curtain wall cladding while maintaining Kim Chung-up’s original design as much as possible. The curtain wall was dismantled on site for structural review and inspection. The original Corten I-shaped steel beams were replaced with domestically produced equivalents of identical size and design to preserve the original appearance, and special coatings were applied to control color changes typical of Corten steel. The facade’s openness was enhanced by connecting the first and second floors, taking advantage of the renewed frontage after the Cheonggye Elevated Road demolition as well as securing ceiling heights suitable for a contemporary office building.

In The Press

• [C3] Two Eras Converge
• [Monthly Architectural Journal] 3.1 Building Renovation: Designing the Value of the Next 50 Years by Revitalizing the Value of the Past 50 Years
• [Chosun Biz] [The Taste of Architecture]② Rebirth of Korea’s First Skyscraper, the 3·1 Building… Preserving the Curtain Wall While Enhancing Openness