Burberry’s flagship store in the exclusive neighborhood of Cheongdam-dong, Seoul contains 42,754 square feet of retail and office space over 10 stories. The retail floors are anchored by an intricately detailed 3-story staircase, built into an atrium created by the free-spanning curtain wall.  Burberry’s Korea headquarters occupy the office levels above, with each floor featuring a terrace wrapped behind the perforated aluminum screen.

Inspired by the iconic Burberry check pattern, the facade layers perforated aluminum screens and custom-patterned ceramic frit glass, weaving together to form a fabric-like veil. Protrusions in the aluminum screen are created with variable depth apertures extending from the facade plane, adding depth to the layers and creating exterior views to the surrounding urban landscape. Resolution of the transitions from protruding to flat metal panels proved especially difficult to fabricate, and Heintges provided guidance on rationalizing the final faceted geometry to aid in fabrication while maintaining the design intent.  The layered nature of the facade is underscored with integral lighting LEDs incorporated into the curtain wall and LED panels featured in the storefront. Curtain wall units also included tracks for automated window washing units.

Heintges provided building envelope consulting services during all phases of design and construction.