"Architectural instrument" from Kengo Kuma & Associates, or the world's first Sound Museum in Seoul

Anastazja Dżupina

22 of January '25

Audeum, or Sound Museum, in Gangnam-gu district (Seoul, South Korea)

Photo by Yongbaek Lee © Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA)

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Technical data

name:	THE AUDEUM
function:	COMMERCIAL
location:	GANGNAM-GU DEPARTMENT, SEUL, South Korea
project:	Kengo Kuma & Associates
contractor:	KCC E&C
cooperation:	NI STEEL, KOZO KEIKAKU ENGINEERING
lighting:	LIGHTING PLANNERS ASSOCIATES
sign design:	NIPPON DESIGN CENTER
team:	KENGO KUMA, SUNGYEON WON, SHOKI AN, YI JI, JEONGWON KIM, HIROYO YAMAMOTO (CG), YUZURU KAMIYA (MODEL), MASAFUMI YUKIMOTO, YUYA MORI, SAYAKA SHIMIZU
CALENDAR: project construction	2019-2022 2024
area: plots buildings total usable	2 332,90 m² 1 089,13 m² 11 009,43 m²

Audeum (Sound Museum),
designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates

[Material prepared from the studio's author's description]

The world's first museum dedicated to sound has opened in Seoul, South Korea. The Audeum (Sound Museum), located in the Gangnam-gu district, was designed by architectural firm Kengo Kuma & Associates. The building occupies seven floors and offers a unique exhibition that depicts the development of sound technology, covering the period from the 19th century to the present.

Audeum, or Sound Museum in Gangnam-gu District (Seoul, South Korea) - the arrangement of aluminum tubes not only enhances the visual effect, but also alludes to the coexistence of technology and nature

Photo by Yongbaek Lee © Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA)

a tributeto a father and a revolution in the world of museums

The museum was founded by Michael Chung, founder of Korean audio specialist Silbatone Acoustics, and is a tribute to his late father. It aims to redefine the traditional museum by engaging all five senses.

Audeum, or Museum of Sound, in Gangnam-gu district (Seoul, South Korea) - design sketch

aluminum façade:
dynamics of shadows and light inspired by nature

The building's facades consist of aluminum tubes that overlap to create dynamic shadows and mimic the natural light penetrating the trees in the forest. This arrangement not only enhances the visual effect, but also alludes to the coexistence of technology and nature.

Audeum, or Sound Museum, in the Gangnam-gu district (Seoul, South Korea).

Architectural fusion of acoustics
and natural materials

The building's interior seamlessly transitions from raw aluminum surfaces on the exterior to more organic wood finishes, which were designed with acoustics in mind. The architectural solutions used foster a sense of closeness to nature and offer an immersive sound experience.

Audeum, or Museum of Sound, in the Gangnam-gu district (Seoul, South Korea) - Kengo Kuma at the museum block

Kengo Kuma described the Audeum as an "architectural instrument" that allows visitors to experience sound holistically, combining it with other senses such as light, wind and smell.

The Audeum, or Sound Museum, in the Gangnam-gu district (Seoul, South Korea) - the building's interior seamlessly transitions from the raw, aluminum surfaces on the exterior to more organic, wooden finishes

The Audeum is a space that goes beyond the traditional museum form - it engages all the senses, offering experiences that go beyond visual perception. It's a place where art meets other stimuli, creating a fuller and deeper experience. The project has the potential to become a symbol of a new era, redefining our perception of art and the space around us.