Perforated brick stairwells front Wise Architecture's ABC office block
Perforated brick walls front this Seoul office block by Wise Architecture, flanking staircases that lead up to a rooftop terrace with views of a nearby historic park (+ slideshow).
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
Known as the ABC Building, the six-storey office block is located within a network of narrow streets that borders the western side of Seonjeongneung park – a UNECSO World Heritage Site containing three royal tombs from the Joseon Dynasty.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
This prompted South Korean studio Wise Architecture to develop a concept for an "architectural mountain", where occupants that climb up to the top are rewarded with a vantage point over the scenic setting.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
"The roof of the building suddenly opens up a view to the beautiful landscape of the park," said Wise Architecture.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
A sloping site allowed the architects to give the building two ground-level floors. The lower level functions as a car park, but has a small workspace along one edge, while the upper level starts off the series of five dedicated office floors.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
There are no internal staircases, as Wise Architecture instead chose to connect the floors with external stairs that zigzag across the facade behind the layered series of perforated brick walls.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
"These five stair alleys are cascaded like small stream falls or stepped wall gardens," said the architects.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_20.jpg)
Perforations only feature on some sections of the walls, creating a stepped profile that gives a false impression of the scale of the staircases behind.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_16.jpg)
Reinforced concrete floor slabs and a steel framework give the building its structure, and the architects chose to use black brickwork for all of the exterior walls. Glazing is concentrated on the north-east elevation.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
Inside, wooden flooring contrasts with exposed concrete ceilings that reveal all of their mechanical services and lighting fixtures.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_19.jpg)
Each floor opens out to a balcony or terrace, allowing employees to take time out from their work, while the uppermost level, which is used as a meeting room, features its own secluded garden.
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_468_17.jpg)
Photography is by Chin Hyosook.
Project credits:
Architect: Wise Architecture
Design Participation: Junghoon Lee
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_15.gif)
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_6.gif)
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_14.gif)
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_4.gif)
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_5.gif)
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_7.gif)
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_8.gif)
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_9.gif)
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_10.gif)
![ABC Building by Wise Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/09/ABC_Building_by_Wise_Office_dezeen_11.gif)