News of Listen Communication: INTERIORS 379 April 2018 | Gaeop Shikdang | 가업 식당 INTERIORS 379 April 2018 Gaeop Shikdang | 가업 식당 Project Gaeop Shikdang | 가업 식당 Read More < >

Space designed by Listen Communication: Seoul Lounge | 서울 라운지 Seoul Lounge 서울 라운지 Location: 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04524, Republic of Korea Space Planning, Design: Listen Communication Photographer: Jaeyoon Kim Client Seoul Metropolitan Government "A Wind of Hope in the Heart of Seoul" Seoul Lounge, located within Seoul City Hall near the Mayor’s Office, is a civic space designed to welcome citizens, dignitaries, and international guests. Blending transparency with dignity, the lounge offers a place for rest, informal meetings, and quiet reflection—while subtly conveying the philosophy of Seoul’s public governance. At the center of the lounge stands BLUE WIND, a custom-designed sofa whose soft curves and layered blue tones represent a gentle, hopeful wind blowing through the heart of the city. Designed together with a floor rug that grounds the space with warmth and stability, these pieces embody the calm yet forward-moving energy of Seoul. More than a functional lounge, this space serves as the city’s metaphorical living room where governance meets hospitality, and where Korean tradition converges with contemporary design. It is a space shaped not only by form, but by vision a place where connection, optimism, and civic pride quietly take root. 서울 시청 시장실 근처에 위치한 서울 라운지는 시민, 고위 인사, 그리고 해외 인사들을 맞이하기 위해 설계된 시민 공간입니다. 투명성과 품격이 조화를 이루는 이 라운지는 휴식, 편안한 만남, 그리고 조용한 사색의 공간을 제공하며, 서울의 공공 거버넌스 철학을 은은하게 전달합니다. 라운지 중앙에 자리잡은 부드러운 곡선과 겹겹이 쌓인 블루 톤은 소파 공간은 도시의 심장부에 부는 부드럽고 희망찬 바람을 상징합니다. 따뜻함과 안정감을 선사하는 바닥 러그와 함께 디자인된 이 소파들은 고요하면서도 진취적인 서울의 에너지를 담아냅니다. 이 공간은 단순한 기능적인 라운지를 넘어, 거버넌스와 환대가 만나고 한국의 전통과 현대적인 디자인이 만나는 도시의 은유적인 거실 역할을 합니다. 형태뿐 아니라 비전으로 형성된 공간이며, 소통, 낙관주의, 그리고 시민으로서의 자부심이 조용히 뿌리내리는 곳입니다. Product Details Lounge Sofa | Blue Wind < >

News of Listen Communication: Noblesse May 2022 | SUNRISE Noblesse May 2022 SUNRISE Project SUNRISE Read More < >

Space designed by Listen Communication: 2019 Craft Trend Fair | Showcase Hall 2019 Craft Trend Fair Showcase Hall Showcase Hall / 쇼케이스관 2019.12.12 - 2019.12.15 Spatial Design: Sangyoon Kim Press Archilovers Archello Client K orea Craft & Design Foundation 시간의 잔상 / Traces of Time 취향(趣向)”은 하고 싶은 마음이 생기는 방향을 정하는 인간의 본성이다. 각각의 삶의 시간과 경험의 흔적이 다르듯 개인의 취향도 제각각이다. "시간의 잔상 "을 주제로 한 쇼케이스관에서는 각자의 취향을 존중하는 마음 , 그를 통해 같은 듯 다르게 겹겹이 쌓인 자연의 시공간으로 들어가 본다. 나와 다른 취향의 공예품과 마주하는 설렘 가득한 공간에서 유행이나 보편적인 시선이 아닌, 오롯이 나만의 취향을 발견하는 시간이 되길 기대해 본다. Taste is an element of human nature that sets the direction of one’s inclination for something. With different time in life and traces of experience, people naturally have different tastes. Showcase Zone invites audiences to the heart of respecting each and every one’s taste, and through this, to the time and space of nature layered in seemingly similar but different layers. It will be a space filled with thrill of meeting crafts of various tastes, enabling audiences to discover their own taste rather than regarding crafts from the viewpoint of current trends of generality. < >

Product by Listen Communication: 林 | 林 Black Forest 林 Design: Listen Communication / Designer: Sangyoon Kim Cabinetmaking: A master of woodcraft, Jinkyung Yoo Size: 140 x 50 x H 80 cm Use: Storage Closet Completed: December 2014 Photographer: Jaeyoon Kim Designed as my memory of treasure hunt in childhood, I imagined going a forest with a friend, and find a hidden tea cup then I offer a sincere tea ceremony to my friend. I interpreted Korean traditional furniture (Sabang table- Opened four side table) which is made with carved-up woods (*it is called Ccha-Mat-Chum), without any nails, and which can unite into one body with different pieces of woods. 한국 전통가구(사방탁자)를 현대적으로 재해석하여 사면에서 수납이 가능하도록 제작되어진 이 가구는 어린 시절 보물찾기를 했던 추억을 되새기며, 소중한 사람에게 숲을 해치며 걸어 숲 속에 소중히 숨겨두었던 찻잔을 찾아 정성스레 차 한잔을 대접하는 모습을 상상하며 디자인하였고, “전통 짜맞춤”기법으로 제작되었다. Client National Intangible Heritage Center Awards 2015, A' DESIGN AWARDS, ITALY 본 제품은 디자인 권리 및 보호를 위하여 실용신안 등록되었습니다. This work is registered for design copyright protection. < >

News of Listen Communication: Seoul Design Foundation Design Magazine 2014 | Christine Chapel | 크리스틴 채플 Seoul Design Foundation Design Magazine 2014 Christine Chapel | 크리스틴 채플 Project Christine Chapel | 크리스틴 채플 Read Details < >

News of Listen Communication: d+a | design and architecture d+a design and architecture the hanok of tomorrow Issue 136 | d+a The Hanok Heritage House reinterprets Korea’s centuries-old architectural language through contemporary spatial planning, material innovation, and refined detail. -Text by Amy Van Photography by Jaeyoon Kim, Studio Z. Hanok or traditional Korean houses, first designed and built in the 14th century during the Joseon dynasty, have been beautifully woven into South Korea's landscape for centuries. One such well-preserved project that carries this legacy forward is The Hanok Heritage House, a 73-acre hospitality complex located in Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon province, about two hours southeast of Seoul. Sangyoon Kim, founder of Seoul-based Listen Communication, designed the visionary project, which has already garnered international recognition, winning the Prix Versailles 2024 as the World's Most Beautiful Hotel. It has also been recognised as a winner of the IIDA Global Excellence Awards 2024(Chicago) and as a finalist of the Hospitality Design Awards 2025 (New York). The ambitious multiphase project encompasses hotel accommodations and event spaces, The latest addition to the resort is called Seondoljung. Completed in early 2024, this second standalone space follows the first completed building, Jongtaek. Named after a nearby scenic spot, Seondoljung is the largest hanok (956sqm indoors) within the estate, offering a reinterpretation of tradition infused with modern sensibilities. It also features exhibition areas, a private indoor swimming pool, gardens, and a cultural performance venue. The upper level houses two independent guestrooms flanking a central lounge. This layout maximises privacy while ensuring smooth circulation. Each room includes a separate living area, minibar, and hinoki bathtub, creating a private and luxurious lodging experience through thoughtful amenities and design details. The lower level accommodates two additional guestrooms, a living and dining area, a main and secondary kitchen (for chefs and workers), a dry sauna, multipurpose room, and private indoor swimming pool. A lift connects the two floors via their central lounges, ensuring a seamless flow while allowing guests to experience the distinctive atmosphere of each level. The spatial configuration balances private relaxation with spaces for communication, while highlighting the expansive, airy beauty of hanok design. balancing heritage and modernity The core design challenge lay in preserving cultural heritage while meeting the demands of modern functionality. "I strive to understand the ideas of our ancestors through the crafts used in everyday life in the past, and aim to adapt them to modern living while preserving the inherent beauty of the crafts,” Kim explains. “For example, in the case of the hanok, | plan the spatial layout based on my experience in anticipating how the completed space will feel to its users, by applying a modern layout. When incorporating traditional elements as finishing materials, | study their characteristics and strive to enhance their aesthetic sensibility while maintaining durability and adapting them to modern usability.” He continues, “There are many crafts and art objects in the world that do not prioritise functionality, But in modern life, people tend to avoid them because they are functionally inconvenient and their sustainatability is low” According to Kim, many artisans are dedicated to preserving cultural heritage through traditional methods but their numbers are decreasing year by year. “In a mechanised modern society, | believe that national policies are supporting this effort to ensure that intangible skills are passed on to the future [generations]. Personally, I believe that a balanced national policy is paramount for tradition to not be a disconnect from the past but rather a valuable cultural asset in an evolving modern society” Kim acknowledges that the process of preserving and reviving the delicate techniques of the past is incredibly difficult and requires patience. "Handcrafted techniques are time-consuming and meticulous, and they often fall short of commercial efficiency, making it difficult to cultivate successors. Especially in modem society, where speed and mass production are emphasised, these traditional skills can easily be neglected. Indeed, some techniques are in danger of disappearing, and the lack of a younger generation to pass them ons a significant challenge.” He adds, “However, with a growing number of young designers and artists fascinated by craftsmanship, and with increasing attempts to reinterpret traditions in a contemporary context, | believe they will not be completely lost. If sustained public interest and government support help these skills move beyond mere restoration to establish themselves as part of new cultural practices, | believe they will continue to evolve in whatever form or meaning they take, and the value of craftsmanship will endure” innovation rooted in craft Kim was also responsible for the project's furniture design. “The selection of materials for the furniture was based on considerations of tradition, functionality, and aesthetic harmony. A key focus was finding warm materials that complement the hanok atmosphere. At the heart of this approach lies wood, which gains depth and elegance over timo,” he says. The pieces are crafted from solid oak and walnut, with brushed, dry-grained wood used in sensitive areas such as the kitchen island to emphasise natural texture and durability. “These materials were selected based on their texture, how their surfaces change with light, and their harmony with the overall space. Furthermore, durability and maintenance required ‘modern functionality, so we employed processing and finishing techniques that minimise shrinkage and cracking,” Kim notes. “We believe furniture that balances traditional aesthetics, with modern practicality is the most honest way to achieve harmony within a space.” A highlight of Seondoljung is the ‘Hanji Light Walls, a bespoke material developed in-house. Kim elaborates: “The ‘Hanji Light Wall; which forms the wall behind the guestroom bed, isa custom-developed material. This wallis made by laser-engraving pattems onto traditional Korean paper and bonding them to matte glass for durability. The back of the processed paper reflects silver light, which cannot be captured in photos, but in person, the texture of the paper evokes the feeling of a three-dimensional flower. The wall itself functions as a lighting fixture, with soft lighting embedded within the paper. | sought to capture the soft, warm glow created by sunlight passing through hanji, and the still yet profound aesthetic imbued within.” This combination of craftsmanship and innovation enriches the interiors with tactile and visual depth, offering a sensory experience that feels both deeply rooted in tradition yet undeniably modern. overcoming structural challenges Conserving the hanok naturally presented its share of challenges. Kim recalls how the project's founder, a physics major, engineered a drying machine to minimise wood deformation, reducing moisture content to levels below cultural heritage standards. “This is the only hanok in Korea constructed in this manner,” Kim says. “The hanoks are not inspired by the orate palaces of ancient Korea, but rather by the humble homes of scholars. They are being gradually upgraded to accommodate modern lifestyles.” For instance, Jongtaek, the first building completed, was constructed with a structure and scale faithful to traditional Korean architectural practices. By contrast, the Seondoljeong Pavilion has a larger wooden structure, featuring greater spacing and height. This was made possible by advances in large-scale timber construction technology. If the traditional scale of the hanok poses inconveniences for modern living, these innovations reflect how technology can bridge the gap between heritage and contemporary needs. To address practical issues such as insulation and air flow, Kim turned to state-of-the-art systems. “Excluding the wooden structure, the walls are thin but highly insulating, thanks to advanced technologies such as vacuum insulation,” he explains. He adds that to counter issues of moisture and condensation, modern materials and ventilation systems were introduced to prevent harmful bacterial growth. Given the dense foliage around the hanok, insect screens were added to minimise pest intrusion, At the same time, to preserve unobstructed views from within, he used high-end European screens that are virtually invisible. From bespoke furniture to structural innovations, Seondoljung demonstrates how tradition can thrive in a modern day context. Beyond accommodation, the project is positioned as a cultural destination where artisanal heritage and modern convenience meet. < >

Space designed by Listen Communication: The HANOK Heritage House | 더 한옥 헤리티지하우스 선돌정 지하 #2 The HANOK Heritage House 더 한옥 헤리티지하우스 선돌정 지하 #2 Location: 37-150, Mungaesil-gil, Nam-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea Area: 956.36m2 Space Planning, Design: Listen Communication Collaboration: artmining Completed: March 2024 Photographer: Jaeyoon Kim Furniture: Listen Communication "Collection 24" Awards PRIX VERSAILLES 2024 / The World’s Most Beautiful Hotels - Winner (Prix Versailles) / UNESCO, FRANCE IIDA Global Excellence Awards 2024 / Hotels - Winner / CHICAGO, USA Hospitality Design Awards 2025 / Luxury Hotel - Finalist / NEW YORK, USA Press Archello identity magazine INTERNI & DECOR Hospitality Design Magazine woodplanet Client THE HANOK HERITAGE Product Details Wooden Table | Collection 24 #8 < >

Product by Listen Communication: 연 / 緣 | 연 / 緣 Yeon 연 / 緣 Design: Listen Communication / Designer: Sangyoon Kim Material: Silver/Gold Plated Brass, Lacquer on Wood, Natural oils Use: Object Size: 7.4 X 20.3 X H 10 cm Completed: October 2018 Photographer: Jaeyoon Kim In Korea, wild geese fly north in the spring and return in the fall. Once paired wild geese are also symbolic in Korean traditional wedding ceremonies because they do not choose another mate even if they die first. Relationship refers to friends, lovers, couples and families who can stay together like wild geese and interact with each other and become partners in life on their way to a distant destination. 한국에서의 기러기는 봄에 북쪽으로 날아갔다가 가을에 다시 찾아오는 철새이다. 한번 짝을 맺은 기러기는 짝이 먼저 죽어도 다른 짝을 선택하지 않기 때문에 한국 전통혼례에서 상징적인 존재이기도 하다. 연 이란 멀고 먼 목적지까지 함께 길을 떠나는 기러기들처럼 함께 할 수 있는 친구,연인,부부,가족이 서로 교감하며 인생의 동반자로 함께 하는 것을 의미한다. Client National Intangible Heritage Center 본 제품은 디자인 권리 및 보호를 위하여 실용신안 등록되었습니다. This work is registered for design copyright protection. < >

Product by Listen Communication: 화 / 華 | 화 / 華 Hwa 화 / 華 Design: Listen Communication / Designer: Sangyoon Kim Material: Brass Size: 14 x 14 x H 32cm Use: Object Completed: October 2018 Photographer: Jaeyoon Kim The flapping surface of the upper part is the result of the primary task of extending the surface with a hammer. The small reflector at the top is designed to react irregularly with the various objects around it, depending on the movement of the small flame and the angle at which the reflector is viewed. 상부의 일렁이듯 반짝이는 면은 망치로 면을 펴주는 일차적인 작업의 결과이다. 상부의 작은 반사체는 작은 불꽃의 움직임과 반사체를 보는 각도에 따라 주변의 다양한 물체와 불규칙하게 반응하도록 디자인 되었다. Client National Intangible Heritage Center 본 제품은 디자인 권리 및 보호를 위하여 실용신안 등록되었습니다. This work is registered for design copyright protection. < >

News of Listen Communication: A' Design Award 2015 | FOREST | 林 MOON FLOWER | 月花 월화 MOON ORCHID | 釣月 조월 A' Design Award 2015 FOREST | 林 MOON FLOWER | 月花 월화 MOON ORCHID | 釣月 조월 Project FOREST | 林 MOON FLOWER | 月花 월화 MOON ORCHID | 釣月 조월 문화재청 국립무형유산원이 주최하고, (사)한국무형유산진흥센터가 주관하는 ‘2014 결’ 전시에 출품하였던 가구 및 조명 아트웍 제품이 이태리 국제 공모전인 A' Design Awards 에서 Furniture and Homeware Design / Lighting Products Design / Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry Design 부문에서 각 각 은상,동상,우수상을 수상 하였습니다. Press Living in A Shoebox Design INDABA < >

Exhibition by Listen Communication: K-HERITAGE PAVILION | K 헤리티지 홍보관 K-HERITAGE PAVILION K 헤리티지 홍보관 48차 유네스코 세계유산위원회 대한민국관 | K-HERITAGE 홍보관 48TH SESSION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE, K-HERITAGE HOUSE | K-HERITAGE PAVILION Location: 55, APEC-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea Spatial & Experience Design : Listen Communication Executive Exhibition Director : Sangyoon Kim July 19 – 29, 2026 "전 국토가 이야기책이다" 제48차 유네스코 세계유산위원회를 맞아 마련된 이번 전시는 대한민국 국가유산, K-Heritage의 가치를 세계와 공유하는 자리입니다. 대한민국의 국토에는 선사시대부터 오늘에 이르기까지 수많은 이야기가 켜켜이 쌓여 있습니다. 발길이 닿는 곳마다 역사와 예술, 사람들의 삶과 정신이 담겨 있는 우리의 국토는 그 자체로 하나의 살아있는 거대한 이야기책입니다. 국가유산청과 국가유산진흥원은 이러한 국가유산의 가치와 매력을 더욱 가까이 만나고 경험할 수 있도록 국가유산 방문코스를 운영하고 있습니다. 이번 전시는 그 가운데 자연과 사람, 문화와 예술이 조화를 이루는 다섯 개의 길을 선정하여 전통과 현대 디자인, 공예와 미디어아트가 어우러진 공간으로 새롭게 풀어냈습니다. 이곳에서 시작된 이야기가 실제 국가유산의 현장을 찾아가는 새로운 여정으로 이어져, 우리 유신의 가치와 아름다움을 오래도록 기억하는 소중한 계기가 되기를 바랍니다. "A Story in Every Step" Organized in commemoration of the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee, this exhibition aims to share the value of Korea's national heritage, or K-Heritage, with the world. Across Korea, countless stories have been added layer upon layer, spanning from prehistoric times to the present day. History, arts, and the lives and spirit of its people can be found at every corner of this land, making Korea itself a vast, living storybook. The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency operate the Korean Heritage Routes, allowing visitors to discover and experience the value and charm of Korea's national heritage up close. This exhibition selected five routes where nature and people, as well as culture and art, are in harmony, and reimagined them as spaces where traditional and modern design, crafts, and media art come together. We hope the stories that begin here will lead to a new journey of exploring national heritage sites, serving as a meaningful opportunity to remember the value and beauty of Korea's national heritage for a long time. # 반구대의 기억 Themed, Gallery - Memories of Bangudae Terrace # 소릿길 - 달빛의 울림, Folk Music Route - Moonlight Resonance # 산사의 길 - 산사의 사계, Korean Temple Monasteries (Sansa) Route -Four Seasons of Sansa # 가야 문명의 길 - 천년의 빛, Gaya Culture Route - A Thousand Years of Light # 서원의 길 - 사색의 뜰, Korean Confucian Academy Route - Courtyard of Contemplation #왕가의 길 -조화의 정원, Royalty Route - Garden of Harmony 전시감독: 김상윤 < >