Key Points
- Material intelligence from day one: LCA-based selection, recyclability, service-life and traceability embedded at brief stage; materials chosen to carry narrative and performance.
- Modular, reconfigurable systems: Prefab assemblies and replaceable units (façade modules, dry joints) to enable repair, reuse, and low-waste adaptations over time.
- Algorithmic minimalism + prototyping: Parametric rules to tune light, heat and structure; rapid CNC mock-ups to cut material use, validate durability and avoid over-engineering.
- Context-as-material: Retain and reinterpret industrial fabric (existing shells, local textures) so heritage becomes a structural and experiential asset-“flow first, form second.”
- Operational realism: Specs stress UV/impact/maintenance cycles and supplier reliability; calls for verified, searchable data on origin, certification, and viable alternates.
Full interview with CA PLAN
1. In the Kia Unplugged Ground project, the renewal focused on connecting heritage and future mobility. What materials were chosen to physically manifest this duality, and how were they sourced or adapted for this context?
“Kia Unplugged Ground Seongsu,” launched alongside Kia’s first dedicated EV (EV6), was conceived as a high-density showcase to communicate EV6’s brand message in the most direct and immersive way. The project reinterpreted Kia’s future vision through Seongsu’s industrial heritage, turning the site itself into an experiential narrative.
The concept of "Unplugged Journey" transcends charging freedom, it positions the EV6 as a catalyst for new experiences, expressed through a spatial sequence called "Moment Layer" which mimics a time-like flow.
The former textile factory’s material memory wasn’t treated as a passive shell but as an active design material. Symbolic objects like spools and threads were embedded throughout, transforming the industrial tactility into a contemporary brand story.
A key installation featured 3,000 spools, made from the same recycled fiber used in EV6 seats, thus materializing Kia’s recycling narrative. Outside, recycled plastic-infused concrete blocks formed the landscape. The space preserved original red brick textures and Seongsu’s raw character, carefully juxtaposed with modern detailing, creating a dialogue between legacy and futurism.
The project’s sustainability strategy operated through the use of recycled materials, the reinterpretation of industrial heritage, and the reuse of the original structure, all of which came together to turn the space into a physical expression of Kia’s brand, not just a showroom, but an experiential stage for the EV6 vision.
2. The Baohaus pavilion at Everland uses bold colour and form. Could you describe the process of selecting facade and structural materials that could perform under high foot traffic and exposure, while maintaining design clarity?
For Everland’s high-traffic and outdoor demands, the Baohaus Pavilion required durable, high-performance materials with minimal maintenance. To meet this need, a monotone perforated metal panel system was selected for its weather resistance, color retention, and impact stability.
The perforation pattern was not merely decorative but was aligned structurally with the original building’s geometry, creating a harmonious shadow rhythm. This was further enhanced by a specialty coating that resisted UV rays, moisture, and pollutants, and by a low-gloss matte finish that reduced glare and improved readability under sunlight.
Moreover, the panda graphic became more than just branding; it was a character identity layer, seamlessly integrated with the structural design. Functionally, the metal panels distributed wind loads, improved ventilation, and allowed for lightweighting without compromising structural efficiency.
3. Across CJ Arena’s spatial identity, lighting and materials work in tandem. What were the acoustic, thermal, or structural properties you evaluated when selecting finishes for such a dynamic environment?
CJ ARENA’s concept, rooted in music theory, translated auditory dynamics into spatial storytelling by using terms like pitch, ascent, texture, and perspective to inform the form-making process.
The lobby became a sensory interface, serving as both an entry point and an immersive media space. A gill-inspired ceiling lighting system was designed to respond to visitor movement and emotional rhythm, while the media facade functioned as a real-time connective platform between performer and audience.
Throughout the space, Sound Scape principles were employed to shape the layout, converting sonic waveforms into curved spatial envelopes. These forms not only offered acoustic softness and visual fluidity but also guided the flow of circulation while synchronizing lighting, materials, and surface treatments.
4. The Hyundai Rotem project highlights future-forward industrial aesthetics. How did material choices address sustainability concerns, and how do you track or verify their environmental performance?
CA PLAN views sustainability as a structural grammar, rather than an afterthought, and this philosophy was central to material selection in the Hyundai Rotem project. Materials were chosen through a three-pronged approach beginning with circularity and LCA-based selection, which included the use of recycled aluminum, anodized metals, and recycled plastics.
This was followed by a commitment to Algorithmic Minimalism, which used environmental simulations to streamline lighting, thermal flow, and reduce component overuse. The final pillar of the strategy was narrative reuse, whereby existing architectural memories, such as those found at the EV6 site, were preserved and repurposed to extend both material lifespan and contextual meaning.
Wherever feasible, modular systems were implemented to ensure disassembly and reassembly, thereby minimizing long-term waste. This comprehensive strategy meant that sustainability was embedded at every phase, from sourcing and simulation to assembly and potential future reuse.
5. When integrating mobility themes into retail spaces like Kia’s, how do you balance high-spec materials for durability with the demand for a tactile, emotional user experience?
In the case of KIA360, CA PLAN adopted a design language that merges technical precision with sensory richness. The first strategy, termed Material Intelligence, involved using materials that convert engineering accuracy into refined tactile experience. Rather than masking the brand's technological DNA, materials such as SIM-textured anodized aluminum panels, matte hybrid stone, and low-luminance lighting systems were calibrated for micro-texture, luminance, reflectance, and thermal stability. These materials were selected not only for their sensory qualities but also for performance metrics including scratch resistance, stain tolerance, and thermal deformation control.
The second approach revolved around digitally fabricated modular construction, which enabled efficient on-site assembly, reduced dust and noise, and reusability of key spatial and furniture components. These modules, crafted from FSC-certified timber, adhered to principles of environmentally responsible fabrication.
The final strategy involved the development of a reconfigurable aluminum façade, composed of 7,533 modular units mounted on a hollow-profile subframe. This façade supports component-level replacement and pattern evolution without requiring full-scale dismantling. With a corrosion rate of only 0.02–0.05 mm per year and specialized coatings that significantly mitigate surface oxidation and discoloration, the façade is a long-term design asset with reduced maintenance costs. Altogether, KIA360 exemplifies a convergence of technical performance, emotional engagement, and material sustainability.
6. With projects involving branded environments, how early do you factor in material traceability or lifecycle data during the planning phase? What tools or frameworks guide those sourcing decisions?
For CA PLAN, Spatial Motion is not simply a method for producing dynamic form. Within our Syntax of Space Design, motion is the underlying force that activates space, created through the relational flow between people, materials, light, and data. We do not treat space as a static object; movement, changing light, flowing sound, and accumulating data collectively form a spatial grammar. Form is therefore not a fixed target, but an outcome shaped by these flows.
This approach has been manifested across projects: in KIA360, airflow was translated into the angular logic of façade modules; in CJ ARENA, soundscape waves became curvilinear spatial language; and in Hyundai Rotem Hyper Station, vectors of speed and pressure determined overall spatial form. Across these works, our consistent principle is: flow first, form second.
In practice, Spatial Motion is built through three stages: sensing movement and environmental/data flows, translating them into parametric or algorithmic rules, and then materializing them into feasible forms within the limits of structure, materials, and construction.
For us, Spatial Motion is not a style but a way of thinking, designing structures that “move” through user experience. This is how CA PLAN translates spatial motion into architectural form.
7. In projects with modular construction or temporary formats, like Baohaus, what specific performance criteria led to the selection of certain composites or surface materials?
In modular or temporary formats like Baohaus, CA PLAN’s material decisions are guided by Syntax of Space Design: materials are not decorative finishes, but grammatical elements that organize structure, environment, and experience.
The perforated metal façade system met key criteria. First, structural efficiency and repeatability: perforated panels offer lightweight stiffness, suitable for modular assembly and repeated installation cycles with minimal deformation. This helps ensure that the spatial “grammar” remains stable regardless of site constraints.
Second, environmental resistance and durability: in high-exposure, high-traffic conditions such as Everland, resistance to UV, humidity, staining, and impact is essential. The perforated system maintains a stable appearance with manageable maintenance, while its perforation also helps distribute wind loads and improve structural stability.
Finally, reversibility and life-cycle performance: dry assembly enables disassembly, reuse, and relocation, aligning temporary architecture with a more responsible sustainability model rather than a wasteful, single-use outcome.
In Baohaus, the perforated system was therefore a syntactic choice—balancing structural logic, environmental performance, and reversibility.
8. How do you typically assess suppliers when specifying specialised finishes, especially those with regional or cultural significance? Would a verified, searchable database of compliant materials accelerate that process?
In practice, there are still relatively few cases where regionally or culturally significant “eco-friendly” or specialty materials have been fully applied as architectural finishes. Regardless of their narrative value, they often lack sufficiently verified information regarding origin, processing methods, long-term durability, maintenance requirements, or certification frameworks. For this reason, such materials have frequently been used more cautiously, often limited to exhibition or storytelling elements rather than structural or high-responsibility finishes.
One exception was the Danyang Hypernature Golf Clubhouse, where we actively translated local geological identity into architecture. Danyang has a distinctive karst landscape, and we interpreted the organic erosion geometry as a formal language, applying stone sourced from the region’s karst context. The material supported sculptural fabrication while offering strong harmony in color and texture with the overall architecture, helping secure both placeness and continuity.
Even in that case, constraints remained: supply stability, consistency of fabrication quality, and limited long-term performance data made decision-making more complex. This experience reinforced the need for verifiable data and clearer evaluation standards.
If a verified, searchable database existed, allowing comparison of origin, processing, environmental performance, certification history, supply stability, and viable alternatives, the process could become significantly faster and more strategic. It would also enable local materials to expand beyond symbolic use into robust architectural language.
For CA PLAN, supplier assessment is not driven by cost or sentiment alone; it depends on whether place-based meaning can be structurally organized and maintained over time within a reliable system. In this sense, transparent evaluation frameworks and verified databases can become a crucial turning point for realizing both regionality and sustainability at a higher level.
9. CA PLAN’s work often bridges architecture and experience design. How do you ensure materials used for aesthetic storytelling are also viable from an operational and maintenance standpoint?
Because CA PLAN frequently integrates architecture and experience design, we validate whether storytelling-driven materials remain operationally viable through measurable criteria and empirical testing. First, we analyze the installation context: interior/exterior conditions, usage density, exposure time, UV/humidity/temperature variations, friction/impact risk, and maintenance accessibility, and translate these into quantified performance requirements (acceptable discoloration range, surface durability thresholds, structural stability, maintenance cycles).
Next, we evaluate fabrication feasibility and digital manufacturing potential: whether the material supports the intended form language, can be modularized, and can be produced through CNC or assembly-based systems that reduce on-site risk.
Finally, we rely on mock-ups and physical tests. In KIA360, multiple façade mock-ups compared module angles, thickness, and connection systems to balance visual density with maintenance efficiency. In EV6 Unplugged Ground, repeated prototyping adjusted the recycled fiber installation’s density and weight, confirming a disassemblable and reusable structure.
Across high-demand projects, the principle remains the same: storytelling materials are selected only after performance criteria and operational conditions are defined and verified through testing.
10. Have you encountered gaps in sourcing low-carbon or recycled materials that still meet your aesthetic and technical standards? How do you navigate those trade-offs?
Yes. There are clear gaps where low-carbon or recycled materials struggle to satisfy both aesthetic and technical requirements in real projects. In many cases, “recycled” as a label is not enough to make a material practically deployable; the challenge ultimately becomes one of real-world usability.
Even when technically suitable options exist, cost competitiveness often becomes a major barrier. In some cases, recycled materials involve energy-intensive or highly complex processing, which can dilute the intended sustainability benefit. This can lead to situations where “recycled” use becomes symbolic rather than functionally meaningful.
For this reason, we prioritize not the claim of recycled content, but the material’s actual role in the space and its life-cycle efficiency. In some cases, we apply low-carbon or recycled materials selectively, such as in areas with lower structural responsibility, or within exhibition/storytelling elements, seeking realistic compromises that remain responsible within current constraints.
Ultimately, solving this gap requires clear standards, technological advancement, and industrial investment that can achieve aesthetic quality, technical reliability, economic feasibility, and reduced environmental burden throughout production and processing. CA PLAN treats this transitional period as an ongoing process of questioning and verification, so that project-based decisions accumulate into stronger material standards over time.
11. What role do digital fabrication or prototyping techniques play in your material decision-making? Are there specific projects where this changed the trajectory of your final specification?
Digital fabrication and prototyping are core tools for validating sustainability in CA PLAN’s material decision process. We do not rely on concepts or specifications alone; we test real fabrication and material behavior to confirm whether waste can be minimized and reuse/maintenance can be sustained long term.
Combined with parametric design, digital fabrication enables simultaneous testing of form and material, reducing over-design and construction risk early. It supports precise optimization of material usage and can lower a structure’s carbon intensity through better-informed decisions.
In the KIA360 façade, repeated CNC mock-ups and full-scale tests refined panel thickness, rotation angles, and module gaps. This maintained the same visual density while reducing aluminum use by approximately 25–30%, and confirmed a system that supports module-level replacementenabling future updates without full demolition.
In EV6 Unplugged Ground, recycled fiber installations were refined through multiple prototypes to eliminate unnecessary density and weight, resulting in a disassemblable and reusable structure, moving beyond “eco material use” toward life-cycle-driven design.
For CA PLAN, digital fabrication is not only about speed of making; it is a verification method for reducing waste, extending lifespan, and confirming sustainable choices at the design stage.
12. As sustainability compliance tightens globally, what kind of data or supplier transparency do you wish you had earlier during a build, and how could a co-pilot AI tool help preempt those challenges?
As sustainability compliance tightens globally, one of the most persistent frustrations in real projects is that trustworthy material and supply-chain information often arrives too late or in fragmented form. Materials initially deemed “sustainable” during early design can later reveal incomplete data: origin, embodied carbon, processing methods, recyclability, only when construction begins. This delay can trigger redesign, schedule shifts, and unnecessary material waste.
From CA PLAN’s Syntax of Space Design (SSD) perspective, the issue is not just missing data, but data that is not syntactically organized. We treat space as a language system where Material, Technology, Data, and Energy interact. Sustainability information should be connected and interpretable as one structure, especially for façades, media systems, and composite assemblies, where performance is inseparable from supplier methods, certification levels, maintenance conditions, and future re-procurement feasibility.
If LCA data, embodied carbon, certification history, supply stability, and viable alternatives could be compared early within a coherent “Syntax system,” designers could make more strategic and accountable decisions. Sustainability is not only a matter of intention, it depends on how information is structured and accessed.
This is where a co-pilot AI tool could operate as an extended SSD interpretation tool. Rather than listing data, it could analyze material and supply-chain information in real time within the designer’s workflow, flag regulatory risks, identify environmental burdens early, and propose alternative scenarios. This would allow materials and suppliers to be treated not as fixed choices, but as reconfigurable syntactic elements with multiple pathways.
Ultimately, the future of sustainable design requires materials, supply chains, and data to be interpreted and reorganized within one connected system—so that sustainability becomes embedded in decision-making, not appended after the fact. A co-pilot AI can be a critical mechanism for integrating this complexity into design practice.
