Architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte Transforms Former Seoul Aquarium into Luminous Centre Pompidou Outpost

The Centre Pompidou Hanwha opens June 2026 in Seoul. Architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte transforms the 63 Building into a luminous cultural lantern.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 5:09 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Parametric Architecture

Adaptive Reuse of an Urban Landmark

The Centre Pompidou Hanwha is poised to become a significant architectural threshold in Seoul’s Yeouido district, marking the French institution's formal expansion into East Asia. The project, designed by renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, involves the radical transformation of a former aquarium located within the 63 Building. By reconfiguring over 10,000 square meters across four levels, Wilmotte has converted an inward-looking aquatic facility into a permeable cultural venue. This intervention emphasizes urban integration, shifting the site’s focus from contained entertainment to a public-facing contemporary museum.

The "Box of Light" Concept and Transparency

At the core of the design is a "box of light" concept, achieved through a translucent envelope that allows carefully filtered daylight to activate the exhibition spaces. This luminous quality serves a dual purpose: it creates an ideal environment for viewing art during the day and transforms the building into a glowing urban lantern at night. By utilizing light and transparency, the architecture contrasts with the solid, vertical dominance of the surrounding financial district, offering a more inviting and ethereal presence along the Han River.

Urban Dialogue and Horizontal Expression

Wilmotte’s design negotiates its relationship with the city through a powerful horizontal expression, featuring a 150-meter-long glazed façade. This expansive frontage establishes a direct visual dialogue with the Yeouido skyline and the riverfront, effectively recasting the museum as a civic threshold. The reworked public interface includes a ground-level sculpture garden, which acts as a buffer between the dense metropolitan environment and the gallery interior. This layout positions the institution as both a global cultural destination and a localized neighborhood asset.