A music library and performance venue in Seoul, South Korea – designed by Ga.a Architects’ Moongyu Choi – has opened its doors, with a collection of more than 10,000 vinyls and 3,000 books available.

With masterplanning by Moongyu Choi and interior design by Gensler, the library is made up of large glass panels over two storeys. There is also a surrounding open-air space from which visitors can enjoy the sounds of Understage – the library’s built-in performance venue that will be used to promote indie bands and underground musicians who have limited access to professional stages.

Ga.a’s design has been developed with music in mind. Designer Choi said that even the venue’s roof and the carefully considered outdoor retreat area has been developed so that visitors can even enjoy the sound of falling rain. Embracing the sloping terrain on which it sits, Choi’s design creates multiple levels and spaces, aiding circulation and offering different views of the surrounding area.

Six record players are located in the music library for visitors to pick music of their choice to play or request a song from the resident DJ. The public vinyl library contains 10,071 records, 3,298, books, and every edition of Rolling Stone magazine published since 1967. Some noteworthy limited-edition LPs available include God save the Queen by the Sex Pistols and The Beatle’s 1966 album Yesterday and Today with its rare “butcher” album cover.



“The full area has been used for Understage, however, I left a lot of space on the ground floor to give an open-air space where visitors and passersby can take a refreshing breather and enjoy good music,” said Choi.

“Music can be shared with different kinds of people across the globe. I hope this space is used by diverse people, including those who want to get some inspiration from music or those who want to enjoy a bottle of beer while watching the sunset in the open space while listening to some good songs.”