OM
Order Matter is an architectural practice based in London and Seoul. True to its name, the practice approaches each project with a meticulously curated attitude and order, expressed through geometrical forms, material experimentation, and attention to detail.
Our practice spans a variety of sectors including private residential, hospitality, luxury retail, and historical buildings. We strive to create architecture that is unique and inherently linked to the human experience by covering architecture, interior design, and bespoke furniture and lighting design.
We invest great energy into delivering projects that are beautifully conceived and finely crafted. Our process is both rigorous and exploratory, underpinned by research, technical expertise, and collaborative dialogue with clients, consultants, and constructors from conception to completion.
Archive
007Mujigae Pension Espresso
Location: Geoje, South Korea
Built 2022
Mujigae Pension Espresso is a quaint café nestled along the southern coast of Geoje, South Korea, undergoes conversion from a 1990s hut, formerly a holiday home. The project frames nature into the space, highlighting views through a singular material in both space and furniture. Bespoke furniture designs are employed to evoke a sense of volume, reminiscent of the floating masses of islands in the frame. Photographed by Roh Kyung
006Khan House
Location: Saharanpur, India
Design 2022
Khan House named after the family’s name is a reimagining of the family home. Retaining the same building footprint, Khan House is an exercise in giving value to an existing building. The project situates itself in the heart of Saharanpur, creating its own microcosm within, the house frames itself towards the sky blurring the boundary between inside and out. Carefully positioned courtyards give vibrancy and allow nature into the space, giving each space a catered experience.
005Yongin Apartment Renovation
Location: Yongin, South Korea
Built 2021
Renovation of a three-bedroom apartment for a newlywed couple. Meticulous use of a minimal material palette establishes a serene backdrop, inviting warmth into the space. The bespoke family of furniture expresses pure geometrical forms and materials, which echoes the essence of ‘family’ despite serving diverse functions. Photographed by Roh Kyung
004A Way to Enter and Leave a Museum
Location: Wonju, South Korea
Competition 2019
Museum SAN, designed by Tadao Ando and set in Korea’s breathtaking natural landscape, seamlessly integrates art and architecture with the changing seasons. The project refines the visitor experience by replacing a conventional ticket-checking booth with a ‘wall,’ ‘path,’ and ‘garden’ that subtly delineate entry and exit routes. This approach enhances the museum’s landscape, artworks, and architecture, with a dark corridor leading to a bright flower garden at the entrance and a serene path through a birch grove to a tranquil garden and art shop at the exit.
003The Street as a Square, the Square as a Street: A Unified City
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Competition 2018
Seoul, shaped by its road network, blends historical and modern elements across its evolving landscape. The proposal for the International Design Competition for New Gwanghwamun Square envisions transforming a key thoroughfare into an integrated ‘square’ within the city’s street grid. Instead of a conventional plaza, it introduces a ‘wall,’ ‘path,’ and ‘garden’ to enhance urban connectivity. By expanding pedestrian areas and adding green spaces, the design maintains road functionality while enriching the cityscape and fostering a renewed sense of place and community.
People
Oliver Chiu
Director
Oliver is an ARB registered architect. He studied at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, where he has received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in architecture.
Having had considerable experience in both residential and office design, he specialises in high end bespoke new builds, refurbishments and fit outs. He has had global experience working for Sou Fujimoto in Tokyo and McLaren Excell, Piercy & Co in London.
Youseok Cho
Director
Youseok is an ARB registered architect. He studied at the University of Bath with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in architecture with first class honours, and has worked with Heerim Architects in Seoul, Shigeru Ban Architects in Tokyo.
Currently he is a regional practice director at Casper Mueller Kneer Architects, where he has delivered projects with global reputation such as Saint Laurent Flagship Store in Champs-Élysées, Paris, The Hyundai Seoul and TIME Concept Stores, Seoul.
Hanchan Ryu
Director
Hanchan is an architect who studied at the Seoul National University, for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture. He has also received a bachelor’s in philosophy from the same university.
His experience ranges from heritage renovation to new build projects within historic contexts and high-end residentials. This includes Yusun-gwan Hotel, Root Square the 2022 House Vision Exhibition and Brighten N40 Apartments in South Korea.