On the 16th at 1 p.m. on the 3rd floor of Offhouse in Bukchon, Seoul, the space that had previously only been seen through the Ohouse application screen unfolded before my eyes. This is the first permanent offline showroom presented by the interior platform Ohouse. It consists of a total of four floors from basement level 1 to ground level 3. It aims to be 'a sample room of a house you want to live in,' going beyond a simple furniture exhibition.
The Ohouse operated by Bucketplace pre-released the offline showroom 'Offhouse' to the media on this day. The official opening is set for the 20th, and anyone can freely enter without a separate reservation. The name 'Offhouse' carries the meaning of an offline extension of the online platform Ohouse.
Offhouse is planned as a permanent operation system, unlike existing temporary pop-up stores. It is an experiment to expand the status of the content and commerce platform that Ohouse has built online into the offline world. For the brands that set up shop there, it becomes a point of contact with customers. Visitors can experience the curated space by Ohouse, naturally building awareness of the brands and products.
The space that attracted the most attention is on the 3rd floor. It has implemented spaces of users who achieved high popularity on the Ohouse app. Rooms with different tastes are arranged in separate sections. In the photo zone, a four-cut photo machine called 'Photoism' is available. It is a device that encourages users to take selfies in the decorated rooms, allowing them to imagine themselves living in that space.
These rooms will change themes every three months. An official from Ohouse noted, 'We plan to periodically change the exhibition themes to reflect seasonal changes or seasonal events like Christmas.'
The 2nd floor features products from Ohouse's own brand 'Layer' and the select shop 'Binary Shop.' The furniture and accessories arranged according to living areas such as the living room, bedroom, and kitchen are decorated to resemble actual living spaces, allowing visitors to directly observe the harmony between products. The thoughtful arrangements of each accessory stood out.
The 1st floor is the 'Brand Connect Zone,' a collaboration space with external brands. The first exhibition starts with a pop-up from the Italian lighting brand 'Artemide.' Collaborations with renowned domestic and international brands will continue.
The basement level 1 is a 'Theme Library' that focuses on specific categories. The official opening theme is lighting. It showcases premium lighting from domestic and international brands in one place. The simple structure allows visitors to appreciate the colors and textures of the lighting.
All exhibited products have a QR code-based '+ button (product tag)' system applied. When a desired product is scanned with a mobile phone, it immediately links to the product detail page in the Ohouse app. This indirect payment method is part of a strategic intent to continue the digital user experience of Ohouse.
The location of Offhouse in Bukchon is also a strategic choice. Bukchon is a cultural and artistic district where tradition and modernity coexist, attracting many foreign tourists. Ohouse aims to naturally spread 'K' interior culture through this space. Furthermore, it seeks to strengthen its position as a lifestyle brand.
Jeong Woon-young, the head of Ohouse commerce, said, 'We designed the space so that customers can see and experience products in units of space from the customer's perspective, not from the supplier's perspective.' He added, 'The products introduced at Offhouse this time are around 1,000, representing only a small fraction of the numerous products Ohouse offers. We will connect customers with even more partner products in the future.'