Costco originated in 1967 as a warehouse-style store converted from an airplane hangar in San Diego, USA. It entered Korea with its first Yangpyeong store in 1994, followed by Daegu, Daejeon, Yangjae, and Sangbong stores, making Ilsan the sixth. Junglim Architecture has participated as designer since Costco’s early entry into Korea, building trust by understanding cultural differences. The role and weight of design have grown through Sangbong and Yangpyeong stores, and the relations with overseas clients and design firms have also been developing, enabling smooth execution for Ilsan.

Costco Ilsan is evaluated as expressing site-specific uniqueness while maintaining unity with over 500 global stores and the warehouse concept. Preserving the image of a warehouse-style commercial facility while creating buyer appeal required significant effort, adapting Costco’s modules — refined across 206 worldwide stores — to Korean consumer preferences.