GLEAM is an office building project located in Gwanghwamun, where Seoul's historical heritage intersects with one of the city's major commercial districts. The area is filled with activity during working hours but becomes noticeably quieter after offices close, revealing a strong contrast between its daytime and nighttime conditions. The project responds to this changing urban rhythm by proposing a building that presents different expressions over time.

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The design takes inspiration from a pine cone, which opens and closes in response to changes in its environment. This adaptive behavior is translated into a dynamic façade that responds to light, temperature, and views from the surrounding city. As its panels shift in angle and openness, they regulate solar exposure and interior conditions — turning GLEAM into an active urban presence rather than a building with a single fixed image.

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The lower levels accommodate publicly accessible cultural and commercial programs, allowing the building to remain active beyond regular working hours. Heritage remains, public spaces, a performance venue, a design store, a restaurant, and outdoor terraces extend the movement of the street into the building. Above, the office spaces are organized around voids and shared areas that encourage interaction across floors and departments.

Through the combination of an adaptive envelope and mixed public programs, GLEAM extends the life of the street into the building itself — turning the heritage remains, performance venue, and terraces into a ground floor that stays active long after the offices above have gone dark.