MMCA Seoul is a recent addition to museums in Seoul. Opened in November 2013, it was designed by Hyun Jun Mihn of mp_ART Architects ( http://www.mpartarchitects.com/ ) with Sia Plan ( http://www.siaplan.com/ ). Located across the street from Gyeongbokgung, it had height limit of 12m. This height constraint lead to most of the exhibition spaces to be below ground, and it challenged the designer to get more daylight into the museum. In my sense, this limitation really benefited the designer to use of the constraints as spatial and programmatic opportunity. It created many spaces where you would be looking at art pieces from different levels. For instance, on first floor where the public programs such as ticketing, information, shops, cafes, etc. are, you can see the tip of Do-Ho Suh’s work placed in 17m height space, and when you go down the escalator, that’s where the real show begins. 

Site area : 27,407 sqm   |    Total floor area : 39,516 sqm

Three floors above ground, three floors below ground