Material ConneXion announced the expansion of its worldwide reach with the addition of Seoul. Material ConneXion Seoul, which aims to strengthen the city's design industry, will open in the Seoul Design Support Center in November 2011, with a soft opening in September.
The opening of a second location in Korea is an effect of the success of Material ConneXion Daegu and demonstrates the vital importance of the Korean market in the world of material design, sustainability and innovation. Having a prominent presence in the capital of Korea offers a gateway to a network of opportunities that will be pursued in close collaboration with Material ConneXion Daegu.
"The opening of Material ConneXion Seoul (MCS), proclaimed World Design Capital in 2010 (WDC), is just like opening a door to unexplored worlds of new business opportunities," commented Mr. Ha, President of Material ConneXion Seoul. "I hope that MCS will strengthen Material ConneXion's brand power especially considering the upcoming presence of Material ConneXion in China."
Material ConneXion Seoul will house an initial library of 700 materials offering the same services as the locations in New York, Bangkok, Beijing, Cologne, Daegu, Istanbul and Milan: An innovative materials library, consulting services-customized materials research and product development support-and a wide range of public programming, including exhibitions and conferences focused on materials innovation.
As the largest city in South Korea, Seoul represents a link between the past and the present offering a structured combination between ancient and modern architecture. The Seoul Design Support Center, built in proximity of the Dongdaeumun Design Plaza (DDP), is a hub for Seoul's design market, operating as the city's dynamic platform. The Design Center will be contributing to the evolution and development of Seoul by hosting industry events and supporting start-up entrepreneurs. Reaching out to international professionals and emerging designers, the SDSC is expanding the strength of its name to a global recognition.
"Korea is one of the fastest growing countries in the world," stated Michele Caniato, President of Material ConneXion, Inc. "We are very proud to open a second location in Seoul, the Design Capital of Asia. Our first library based in Daegu will now work side by side with the team in Seoul to better serve our customers, who will have a unique opportunity to take advantage of materials Made in Korea, which we are planning to showcase in the library."
This location is a prime choice for a Material ConneXion library, promoting a passion for innovation and will become a profitable opportunity for all parties involved. The approximately 2400 sq. ft. dedicated to the offices of Material ConneXion in the nine story building of the SDSC will also host the Seoul Design Foundation, a pilaster for the city's design development.