Hello Monday Coworking Space Lounge by Bananafish: Redefining Flexible Workspaces in Seoul

 Architects: Bananafish 

In the heart of Seongsu-dong, Seoul’s rapidly evolving creative district, Hello Monday has emerged as more than just a coworking brand — it is a design-led movement redefining the way people experience workspaces. Founded by Star Properties Korea (SPK), a Hong Kong-based real estate company, Hello Monday curates unique office environments that merge regional character, sustainability, and community-driven design.

Over the years, Hello Monday has opened a series of distinct coworking locations:

• Coner 19 – A pent-office concept at Yeonmujang-gil
• Coner 25 (C25) – A green lifestyle office concept at Seongsu 1-gil
• Coner 50 – A creator-oriented office at Seongsu 2-gil

Among these, Coner 25 stands out for its panoramic views of the Han River and Seoul Forest, juxtaposed against an industrial landscape of aging factories. This area was once a bustling manufacturing hub in the 1970s, producing handmade shoes, wigs, steel goods, and prints — a history that now informs its design narrative.

Design Brief and Spatial Concept

Bananafish was commissioned to transform C25’s upper levels into an inviting reception hall, lounge, shared kitchen, and multi-use studio space across the 9th, 10th, and 11th floors. The client’s main request: a lounge design that breaks away from the building’s original architecture and captures the essence of Seongsu’s creative-industrial identity.

One of the key challenges lay in the limited 9th-floor layout, where an L-shaped open space had to accommodate a reception, café, and lounge without feeling segmented. Bananafish’s solution was bold — a single, large bar table functioning simultaneously as the reception desk, café counter, and social hub.

Materiality and Craft

This central furniture piece became the space’s landmark, constructed with a double-layer finish using eco-friendly recycled fiber panels. The outer panels, arranged diagonally, partially reveal the inner layer, creating a dynamic visual effect that shifts as visitors move around the space. This design subtly references the reuse and reinvention of Seongsu’s industrial heritage.

The surrounding kitchen and studio were kept minimalist and neutral, featuring concrete-inspired ceramic finishes and white-toned furniture to maintain focus on the lounge’s statement piece.

Floor-by-Floor Design Approach

9th Floor – Reception & Lounge

• Central Landmark: Multifunctional bar table serving reception, café, and lounge roles.
• Sustainable Materials: Eco-friendly fiber panels with layered, diagonal patterns.
• Minimalist Surroundings: Neutral finishes to enhance the bar table’s prominence.

• All photographs are works of  Kim Min Chul