Complex Cultural Centre, Seoul

Complex Cultural Centre – Seoul, South Korea
Project overview

Seoul’s Complex Cultural Centre houses galleries, theatres and educational facilities in a landmark building designed by local architects. Located in a dense urban context, the centre’s roof acts as a civic plaza and public space. Daylighting is integral to the user experience because visitors move through large atria and exhibition halls where natural light enhances perception of art and encourages lingering.

Design challenge

Seoul experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters. A glazed roof is desirable to admit daylight into the heart of the building but must be thermally efficient to prevent heat loss in winter and solar heat gain in summer. Traditional shading devices would be difficult to maintain on a roof and would compromise the clarity of the roof structure. The design therefore required a solution that simultaneously insulates the roof and controls daylight.

RetroSolar strategy

The roof glazing incorporates RETROLuxTherm 12 mm micro‑louvers enclosed within vacuum‑insulated glass units. These louvers are fixed at a tilt angle calculated based on Seoul’s latitude so that direct summer sun from the south is excluded, while diffuse skylight is transmitted. The vacuum glass not only encloses the louvers but also provides a U‑value of around 0.03 W/(m²·K), delivering exceptional insulation. Because the system is sealed, it requires no maintenance over its lifetime.

Building physics and performance

The combination of micro‑louvers and vacuum insulation creates a roof that is both highly insulating and capable of precise daylight modulation. By blocking low‑angle sun and admitting high, diffuse light, the system minimises glare and overheating. In winter the low thermal transmittance reduces heat loss through the roof, contributing to the building’s energy efficiency. The carefully angled louvers also ensure that no shadows are cast across exhibition spaces, preserving the integrity of artworks and performances.

Architectural outcome and significance

Visitors experience a luminous, comfortable environment that seamlessly connects indoors and outdoors. The use of vacuum‑insulated RetroSolar technology demonstrates the feasibility of achieving near‑passive house levels of thermal performance in a public building without sacrificing daylight quality. The project serves as a model for cultural institutions seeking to balance sustainability with experiential richness.