Gwell Officetel

Gwell Officetel by Julien De Smedt Architects is a ten-storey residential and mixed-use building in Seoul’s Gangnam Bogeumjari District. Designed for Shinyoung in collaboration with Junglim Architects, it combines retail, amenities, and around 700 compact homes within a dense urban setting.

The project rethinks the officetel typology, balancing efficiency with a clearer sense of place. Its staggered terraces break down the scale of the façade, extend the living spaces outward, and give the building a more articulated skyline. The shifting balconies also create rhythm and depth across the elevations, softening the density of the block.

Set between a lively street edge and a courtyard opening toward the adjacent hill, the building links urban pressure with landscape. The result is a compact landmark shaped by light, views, and a shared sense of everyday life.