Kukje Art Center Mesh Sample Steel Test

Traditional 16th century armor often consists of a unique pattern of interlocking metal rings to develop a strong yet pliable fabric. In a search for materials to wrap the exterior surface of Kukje Gallery, SO-IL discovered this invention that allows for a fluidity of an otherwise rigid metal material to take on a double curvature and wrap the concrete forms of their gallery. With the need to develop a larger scale more appropriate for architecture, SO-IL created a series of cardboard mock-ups to test scale and pliability. From this process, the firm settled on 1.5” diameter stainless steel ring as seen here. SO-IL then worked alongside a manufacturer who created a custom-fit, continuous sheath consisting of over 500,000 rings specifically designed and created to envelop Kukje Gallery.