The Tamburins Seongsu Flagship Store in Seongsu-dong, South Korea, has garnered acclaim at the 2024 Frame Awards, winning Best Use of Light and Single-Brand Store of the Year.
Designed by The System Lab with lighting by EONSLD, the store seamlessly blends architecture and lighting to create a sensory and visually captivating experience.
Lighting that speaks of scent
Tamburins, a fragrance brand known for "exploring undefined beauty through scent," mirrors its ethos through the store's lighting design.
EONSLD aimed to evoke the essence of perfume with light, spreading warmth throughout the space like a fragrance wafting through the air.
The design juxtaposes architectural contrasts, unifying them with harmonious lighting that defines the brand's unique identity. The store’s lighting creates an atmosphere where light becomes an emotional and sensory element rather than a mere functional feature.
Reimagining architecture with light
The store dissolves traditional boundaries between interior and exterior. Glass walls redefine the space, allowing interior lighting to spill outward, mimicking the effect of perfume mist.
Subtle lighting highlights the structure’s silhouette, preserving its grandeur while inviting passersby into the illuminated glass-box interior.
The lighting design blurs the lines between inside and outside, creating a fluid connection that reflects the brand's innovative spirit.
"The interplay of light and architecture reinterprets the building as a cohesive, inviting space," the EONSLD team explains.
Invisible light for comfort and elegance
Central to the lighting concept is the idea of "invisible light." Recessed fixtures, carefully positioned to eliminate glare, provide a soft glow while ensuring visual comfort.
By integrating lights into ceilings and walls, the design focuses on illuminating the space rather than the fixtures themselves, offering an understated yet impactful aesthetic.
"Light is not just a source of illumination but a fundamental design material," says Jeong Mee, CEO of EONSLD. "It’s the finishing touch that brings form to life in any space."
A unique blend of design and emotion
Tamburins Seongsu Flagship Store exemplifies how lighting transforms a space into an experience. By combining subtlety, innovation, and artistic intent, EONSLD has crafted a lighting design that not only enhances the brand's identity but also elevates its architectural narrative.
This award-winning project reaffirms the power of light to shape spaces, engage emotions, and create a lasting impression, solidifying Tamburins Seongsu as a beacon of design excellence.
