KEPCO Community Lounge by STUDIO I’ll: A Flexible Community-Centered Interior Revitalizing Public Interaction

The KEPCO Community Lounge, designed by STUDIO I’ll, transforms a once-chaotic multipurpose hall in Beobwon-ro, South Korea, into a welcoming, flexible, and community-driven environment. Spanning 319 m², the project reimagines how public interior spaces can support relaxation, engagement, and social interaction through carefully choreographed spatial organization and human-centered design.

Reframing a Challenging Entry and Overcrowded Waiting Zone

During the initial site visit, the architects recognized significant issues impacting user comfort and spatial clarity. The elevated entrance from the parking lot visually exposed the interior, diminishing privacy, while the waiting area for the multipurpose hall was consistently overcrowded. This congestion created a setting unsuited for rest, informal gatherings, or meaningful community activities.

STUDIO I’ll approached the project with the goal of softening transitions, reducing visual noise, and restoring a sense of calmness within the public space.

Partition Design Creating Flow, Privacy, and Visual Harmony

A key design strategy centered around the creation of partition walls that guide circulation without obstructing sightlines. Instead of erecting closed or rigid separations, the design establishes a fluid spatial flow, allowing visitors to intuitively navigate the lounge.

Each partition varies in height depending on its location, creating subtle shifts in enclosure and openness. The tops of the partitions are intentionally softened and gently curved, producing an organic rhythm that enhances visual continuity. This approach minimizes abrupt transitions and fosters a naturally cohesive interior atmosphere.

Material Variation Enhancing Visual Texture and User Experience

To enrich the spatial narrative, each side of the partitions employs different materials, offering varied tactile and visual experiences depending on where users sit or stand. This thoughtful material differentiation not only animates the space but also contributes to sensory comfort and visual interest.

Some partitions incorporate built-in bookshelves, transforming functional dividers into multipurpose elements. These integrated shelves encourage lingering, learning, and communal engagement, reinforcing the lounge’s identity as a social and cultural anchor within the KEPCO facility.

A Restorative Community Space Rooted in Human-Centered Design

With updated circulation, differentiated seating areas, and visually warm partition elements, the KEPCO Community Lounge achieves a renewed sense of serenity. STUDIO I’ll’s design creates a setting that prioritizes comfort, accessibility, and interaction, qualities essential for contemporary community-oriented interiors.

All photographs are works of Donggyu Kim