Executive Chair Euisun Chung: "Yangjae Office Renovation... Transforming Into an Open Space for Collaboration"

Hyundai Motor Group Yangjae Headquarters Lobby Reopens After Renovation
Euisun Chung: "The keyword I focused on most was communication"
"Comfortable employees create comfortable products"
Basement 1 to 4th Floor: 36,000 m² of Shared Spaces Renovated
First-Floor Central Lounge 'Agora' Connects Communication Spaces

"How can someone who makes cars create comfort if their own environment is not comfortable?"

Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, is speaking at the Lobby Story Townhall event held in the lobby of the Yangjae Building on the 14th. Photo by Choi Youngchan

On May 14, Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, made this remark at the 'Lobby Story Town Hall' event, which was organized to share the philosophy and direction of the Yangjae office building lobby renovation with employees.

He explained to employees the significance of the Yangjae building lobby, which has functioned as the group's control tower and served as the foundation for Hyundai Motor Group's growth since 2000, being transformed into a new space for open communication.

To create a new open plaza in the lobby where employees can freely stay and share ideas, Hyundai Motor Group began renovation work in May 2024, completed 23 months of construction, and reopened the lobby at the beginning of March this year.

The atrium in the central lobby area of Hyundai Motor Group's Yangjae Building. Hyundai Motor Group

The renovated space spans from the first basement level to the fourth floor above ground, covering approximately 36,000 square meters indoors and outdoors—an area equivalent to five soccer fields.

The Lobby Story Town Hall took place at the 'Agora,' a tiered lounge space built at the center of the first-floor lobby, and was attended by key executives and employees of Hyundai Motor Group, including Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Vice Chairman Jaehoon Chang, President Kanghyun Seo, President Junyoung Choi, President Sung Kim, and President Minwoo Park.

Regarding the motivation behind the new lobby renovation, Executive Chair Chung stated, "Even a brief conversation can lead to new ideas, and as we share information, work can naturally proceed more smoothly. I hope that as the work environment changes, the way we work will also gradually evolve."

He continued, "Over the past 10 years, we have brought about many changes. The name 'Yangjae' means a land where wise and talented people gather. As the name suggests, all that we have achieved was possible because of the outstanding people gathered here, and I am extremely proud. To keep this positive momentum going, we must continue to gradually change the way we work and our environment."

Hyundai Motor Group Yangjae Office Building Employee Cafeteria. Hyundai Motor Group

He added, "Brilliant ideas that drive innovation and change rarely come from staying in one place. They often come to us during brief conversations with others, chance encounters, or moments of quiet reflection alone. The lobby renovation was an attempt to create an environment where even more active collaboration is possible."

Executive Chair Chung also shared an episode related to the planning and layout of the space. He explained the background for directly recommending Japan's 'CCC (Culture Convenience Club)' as a partner for the in-house library renewal: "CCC and Tsutaya Books are partners from whom I personally gain many insights. They carefully consider who visits, what they expect, and how they spend their time there. I was especially impressed by how their philosophy is seamlessly integrated into the space and content. I wanted to bring this customer-centered approach to our in-house library as well, which is why I recommended collaborating with CCC."

At the close of the town hall, Executive Chair Chung said, "The Yangjae headquarters is like a home that has been with us for a long time. For over 25 years, we have wrestled with many challenges and decisions here, and each of those steps has shaped Hyundai Motor Group into what it is today. At the center of all this has always been you. Ultimately, the most important asset in a company is its people," encouraging the employees.

A plaza for open exchange and sharing of ideas

The core concept of this lobby renovation is to create a 'plaza for open exchange and sharing of ideas.' While preserving the essence and framework of the Yangjae office building, Hyundai Motor Group reorganized the space around the values of connection and collaboration.

The first-floor lobby was designed to encourage employees to naturally gather around the 'Agora,' a tiered lounge inspired by the plazas of ancient Greece. Surrounding the Agora are the 'Connect Lounge,' which can be used for meetings and relaxation, the 'Open Stage' for exhibitions, a cafe, and an outdoor garden—all organically linked. Seating and tables have been placed throughout so people can sit and communicate freely.

Collaboration and relaxation spaces set up throughout the lobby of Hyundai Motor Group Yangjae Building. Hyundai Motor Group

To create a bright and comfortable lobby, an atrium—an open, glass-ceilinged space—spanning from the first to the third floors was utilized for ample daylight and landscaping, with plants and trees arranged throughout. In particular, the company worked with Professor Youngsun Chung, a first-generation landscape architect in Korea, to create a harmonious indoor landscape where employees can pause and catch their breath.

In keeping with Hyundai Motor Group's vision to become a leading human-centered physical artificial intelligence (AI) company, a robot station was installed on the first floor to create an advanced lobby environment where employees and robots coexist. Some of the robots include the 'DAL-e Gardener' for landscape watering, the 'DAL-e Delivery' for deliveries, and 'SPOT' for protocol and security purposes.

The in-house library was also renewed to allow employees to access a wide range of materials and gain new ideas and insights. In collaboration with CCC, the operator of Tsutaya Books—a well-known Japanese bookstore and cultural complex that curates customer preferences and lifestyle—curated books by theme are now provided.

The Grand Hall, which spans the second and third floors, was remodeled into a multipurpose hall for immersive experiences and operational efficiency. With a large screen and professional audio and lighting systems, it can host cultural performances and seminars, and features a variable stage and seating that can be stored away, enabling flexible use for a variety of events.

Arcade space inside Hyundai Motor Group Yangjae Building. Hyundai Motor Group

Previously a 'dead space' used only for specific events and left idle at other times, the area has been transformed into a spacious lounge with retractable stages and seating, making it a venue for exhibitions, forums, town halls, and other forms of interaction.

The third and fourth floors focus on employee growth and relaxation. On the third floor, a 'Learning Lab'—an urban training center for sharing knowledge and experience—was established, providing an environment for education, lectures, and one-day classes. As the ratio of foreign employees increases, the demand for conversational training among domestic employees has risen, leading to an expansion of the existing foreign language learning center.

A relaxation space called 'Oasis' was also created, offering a comfortable resting area where colleagues can enjoy conversations in natural light streaming through the atrium.

On the fourth floor, an outdoor garden was installed utilizing the lower roof area of the building. It features a running track, pull-up bars, and other simple exercise equipment, as well as tiered seating, providing a place for walks or reflection while enjoying natural light and fresh air.

Kia T-600 (left) and Hyundai Pony (right) displayed in the lobby of Hyundai Motor Group Yangjae Building. Hyundai Motor Group

The first basement level was designed to reinvigorate employees' daily lives and help them recharge for work by integrating dining, fitness, leisure, and convenience functions. The cafeteria offers a wide variety of menus including Korean, Japanese, Italian, and salad options, and features a 'Live Grill' open kitchen for freshly prepared dishes, providing trendy dining experiences inside the building.

In addition, the existing swimming pool with a 50-meter lane was remodeled, and the gym facilities were upgraded to help employees maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The 'Arcade' offers a racing simulator as well as large-screen sports games such as football, baseball, and archery. Through these features, the arcade serves as a place for employees to unwind and relieve stress while also increasing their understanding and pride in Hyundai Motor Group's sports initiatives.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.