Zip Cinema is a prominent film studio in South Korea, renowned for blockbusters like Jeon Woochi: The Taoist Wizard (2019), Cold Eyes (2013), and The Priests (2015). The studio is currently planning to construct a new headquarters. Both the designer and the owner share a unified vision centered on the concept of “zip,” which is both the studio’s name and the Korean word for “house.” This common goal fostered a friendly and collaborative atmosphere during their initial meeting.
Interestingly, despite producing ten films over the past decade, Zip Cinema chose to partner with a relatively young architectural firm that has only ten years of experience. This decision might seem unexpected at first. Additionally, the studio is relocating its headquarters from the bustling commercial district of Gangnam in Seoul to Paju, Gyeonggi Province—a bold move for a rising film studio.
The film industry maintains strong ties with the corporate sector, particularly the financial industry, due to its heavy reliance on capital and funding. Despite challenges such as high rent, limited parking, and uninspired office layouts, most film studios remain in Gangnam to stay close to commercial and promotional partners. However, Zip Cinema’s CEO, Eugene Lee, made an unconventional choice to relocate to the Paju Publishing Complex outside Seoul.
Understanding the challenges of building a career in a male-dominated industry, Lee emphasizes creating a workspace that acknowledges and inspires creativity. She believes that supporting her employees through an encouraging environment is key to the studio’s success.
The design process also carefully considered the studio’s practical needs. One primary function involves hosting meetings—many dedicated to script discussions and brainstorming. Another key function is movie production and distribution. To accommodate these, two independent multifunctional halls flank either side of the building.
The spacious two-story atrium provides a refreshing sense of openness when not in use. However, it can also serve as a dynamic backdrop for premieres, promotional events, and actor interviews during film releases.
For a business that thrives on media exposure, this multifunctional space is essential and perfectly tailored to their needs. Additionally, the open, spacious environment—unrestricted by plot ratio regulations—was a significant factor in the decision to move out of the crowded Seoul area.
The new Zip Cinema headquarters in Paju spans four floors with a height of 15 meters, the maximum permitted by local regulations. On the first floor, a coffee shop and multipurpose hall welcome visitors. The coffee shop is designed as a sunken space, set one meter below ground level, creating a cozy atmosphere and lowering sightlines to offer comfort and privacy. This design also increases ceiling height, enhancing the overall spatial experience.
The adjacent multipurpose hall hosts a variety of large-scale events, such as movie premieres and interviews.
The floors above are dedicated exclusively to staff and studio personnel, such as screenwriters. The East Wing multifunctional hall on the second floor features a double-height space designed for relaxation and stretching, providing a comfortable area for employees to unwind. It also serves as the venue for the weekly studio meetings.
The office layout prioritizes efficiency and comfort. For instance, the west-facing offices incorporate tall, narrow walls that cover more than half the facade, shielding the interior from the harsh afternoon sun. These walls function like blinds, controlling sunlight angles and enhancing indoor comfort. The north- and south-facing offices follow the building’s overall design theme, maintaining a consistent and relaxed atmosphere.
The south facade features Zip Cinema’s most iconic spatial element, embracing the concept of “micro” spaces. Humans naturally gravitate toward spaces of appropriate scale, favoring cozy corners over vast banquet halls. This design integrates outdoor balconies with indoor corners, creating comfortable zones that encourage informal conversations and relaxation. Such spaces help employees escape workplace stress, enjoy coffee, or engage in friendly chats.
A portion of the fourth floor is dedicated to screenwriters, equipped with a shower room, kitchen, and dormitory, allowing creatives to live and work on-site. They can also access a rooftop rest area to relax and breathe fresh air.
Project Drawings
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
△ Fourth floor plan
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section diagram
△ Section diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: poly.m.ur
Area: 2,503 m²
Project Year: 2017
Photographer: Kyungsub Shin
Lead Architect: Homin Kim
Location: South Korea
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