Seongsu Triangle Hair Transplant Clinic Seoul, Gwangnaru-ro property, South Korea achitecture images

Seongsu Triangle Hair Transplant Clinic in Seoul

6 April 2026

Architecture: YRArchitects

Location: Seoul, South Korea

Photos: Kim Yong-su

Seongsu Triangle Hair Transplant Clinic, South Korea

The site bordered Gwangnaru-ro, a 38-meter-long thoroughfare at the southern end of the Jungnangcheon Stream.

Gwangnaru-ro was lined with substantial buildings, including knowledge industry centers, officetels, and corporate headquarters. The site, a small parcel wedged between these larger structures, was formerly a two-story prefabricated car center.

On the east side of the site, a building five times the size of the lot stood only a meter away. Surrounding the southwest side of the site was a building over six times the size of the lot. Despite these somewhat disadvantaged conditions, the goal was to create a compact office building that would not appear dwarfed by the surrounding buildings, maximize natural light, and avoid overshadowing. The goal was to create a harmonious yet striking presence amidst the large buildings on Gwangnaru-ro.

Fortunately, the site was closed to the southwest by a tall adjacent building. However, the east side was protected by a vehicular access ramp from the adjacent building, providing a 6-meter clearance. To the north, the site boasted beautiful, year-round views of Gwangnaru, Dongbu Expressway, and Jungnangcheon Stream. The design focused on maximizing this northern view and compensating for this somewhat disadvantaged location. Consequently, the design involved creating a somewhat enclosed façade on the south and east sides, while curtain walls on the north and west sides provided design emphasis.

Repeated horizontal bars and connecting diagonal bracing were applied toward the northwest corner, forming a repetitive triangular pattern. This pattern creates a natural rhythm as the floor heights change. This emphasizes the open view to the northwest while also creating a sense of elevation, creating a façade pattern that enlarges the scale of the small building and elevates its presence. Furthermore, the interior, the triangular bracing serves as a frame that enlivens and draws in the natural views.

Hair Transplant Clinic Building
The client, who had been operating a hair transplant clinic in Cheongdam-dong, wanted to provide a comfortable, luxurious, and unique experience upon relocating to Seongsu-dong after completion.

The site is a semi-residential area, with minimal building code restrictions, such as sunlight access. Facing a main road, most surrounding buildings are over 10 stories tall. The building’s height would allow for views of the Jungnang Stream beyond the trees, allowing the upper floors to enjoy views. Therefore, the architects sought to maximize the number of floors possible.

Because the site is narrow, the ground floor can accommodate only an elevator hall and stairs, aside from piloti parking. Therefore, the fourth floor was designated as the reception level and the ceiling height was raised to the maximum, allowing guests arriving via the elevator to enjoy the lush sycamore trees and the sky through the north façade. The lower floors, the 2nd and 3rd, are designed to house hair transplant surgery rooms, disinfection rooms, and a rest area for the surgical team. Floors 5 and 6 accommodate other hair and skin care procedures.

Finally, the 7th floor can be used as a VIP lounge, ensuring maximum utilization of the excellent views even if the building is eventually sold.

Seongsu Triangle
The site is located along Gwangnaru-ro, a 38‑meter‑wide thoroughfare at the southern end of the Jungnangcheon Stream. This street is lined with substantial buildings, including knowledge industry centers, officetels, and corporate headquarters. By contrast, the project site was a small parcel wedged between these larger structures, formerly occupied by a two‑story prefabricated car center.

To the east, a building five times the size of the lot stood just one meter away, while to the southwest, another building six times larger pressed against the site. Despite these challenging conditions, the design aimed to create a compact office building that would hold its own among its oversized neighbors, maximize natural light, and avoid being overshadowed. The goal was to establish a harmonious yet striking presence along Gwangnaru-ro.

Although the southwest side was closed off by a tall adjacent building, the east side benefited from a vehicular access ramp that provided a six‑meter clearance. To the north, the site opened to year‑round views of Gwangnaru, the Dongbu Expressway, and Jungnangcheon Stream. The design strategy therefore emphasized the northern view, while compensating for the site’s constraints by creating a more enclosed façade to the south and east, and curtain walls to the north and west.

Toward the northwest corner, repeated horizontal bars and diagonal bracing form a rhythmic triangular pattern. This motif accentuates the changing floor heights, highlights the open northwest view, and lends a sense of verticality. The façade pattern enlarges the perceived scale of the building, while inside, the triangular bracing frames and animates the natural views.

Hair Transplant Clinic Building
The client, previously operating a hair transplant clinic in Cheongdam-dong, sought to provide a comfortable, luxurious, and distinctive experience upon relocating to Seongsu-dong.

The site lies in a semi‑residential area with minimal building code restrictions, such as sunlight access. Facing a main road, it is surrounded by buildings exceeding ten stories. The building’s height offered the opportunity to capture views of the Jungnang Stream beyond the trees, motivating the architects to maximize the number of floors.

Due to the narrow site, the ground floor accommodates only an elevator hall and stairs, alongside piloti parking. The fourth floor was designated as the reception level, with its ceiling height raised to the maximum to allow arriving guests to enjoy views of lush sycamore trees and the sky through the north façade. The second and third floors house hair transplant surgery rooms, disinfection facilities, and staff rest areas, while the fifth and sixth floors are dedicated to other hair and skin care procedures.

The seventh floor serves as a VIP lounge, ensuring optimal use of the panoramic views and preserving value should the building be sold in the future.

Of the six exposed floors, the functionally essential levels have ceiling heights of approximately 3.5 meters. In contrast, the fourth and seventh floors—both facing north—feature ceilings of 4.5 meters, enhancing spatial openness and maximizing the views.

Seongsu Triangle, Seoul, South Korea Hair Transplant Clinic Building – Building Information

Architecture: YRArchitects – https://yrarchitects.com/

Location: Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Usage: Neighborhood Commercial Facility
Site Area: 153.70 sqm
Building Area: 92.12 sqm
Gross Floor Area: 602.22 sqm
Scale: 1 basement level, 7 stories above ground
Structure: Reinforced concrete structure