Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM),
designed by Melike Altınışık Architects (MAA).
The world's first museum dedicated to robots and artificial intelligence has opened in Seoul. The project, by Turkish studio Melike Altınışık Architects, was developed as part of an international competition announced by Seoul authorities. RAIM (short for the museum's full name "Robot & AI Museum") is located in the center of a revitalized area, in the northern part of the city, and is expected to play the role of a center for the fourth industrial revolution.
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM) in Seoul - an abstract model of the building
© MAA
RAIM as a catalyst for innovation
The museum is intended to be a catalyst for the development and dissemination of science, technology and innovation. The building has been strategically positioned to connect researchers from nearby universities, research institutes and corporations with local residents, offering space for exhibitions, interactive experiences and educational programs focusing on robotics and AI.
Seoul Museum of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence - A tour of RAIM begins at the entrance, where visitors are greeted by robots
© Namsun Lee, MAA
Integration of academia, industry and public engagement makes the building a key point in the regional network of science and culture.
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM) designed by Melike Altınışık Architects has opened in Seoul.
© Namsun Lee, MAA
architectural vision
and innovative building technologies
The white, rounded volume creates a directionless sphere in which organic forms reign instead of rigid geometry. The facade's fluid design was achieved through a combination of digital fabrication and reverse engineering. The construction process included CNC laser cutting and robotic welding, which ensured minimal errors and high precision in the construction of the museum's complex, non-linear forms.
The lump of the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM) in Seoul has a spherical, flowing form
© Namsun Lee, MAA
The RAIM lump is not just a shell, but an integral part of the museum's narrative, reflecting the fluidity and dynamism of the fields of AI and robotics. Thus, the museum not only showcases robots, but robots were responsible for the entire process of creating the edifice.
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM) in Seoul - axonometry
© MAA
visitor experience
and interior space
The lump of the building harmonizes with the advanced technologies housed inside. Visitors' experience at RAIM begins at the entrance, where they are greeted by robots, ushering them inside the museum. The first floor features a reception area, ticket halls, cafes and a store. At the heart of the museum appears a vertical escalator tunnel, connecting the different floors and leading visitors to the permanent and temporary exhibitions on the upper floors.
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM) in Seoul - the centerpiece of the building is a vertical tunnel with escalators, leading visitors to the upper floors
© Namsun Lee, MAA
The tunnel was built using advanced technologies usually reserved for the aviation and maritime industries, further emphasizing the innovative approach to the project. Educational and administrative facilities are located on the second floor, while the basement houses parking and technical facilities.
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM) in Seoul - exhibition spaces are located on the second floor
© Namsun Lee, MAA
museum built by robots
Melike Altınışık, MAA's chief architect, describes RAIM as a "living exhibition" where the architecture embodies the intelligent technologies it showcases. The museum is not just a space to display robots, but also integrates smart technologies into the design, construction and operation process, seamlessly blending them into the technological narrative it presents.
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM) in Seoul - visualization
© MAA
RAIM: a symbol of the future
RAIM embodies the potential of robotics and AI to redefine our environment, serving as a reference point for Korea's fourth industrial revolution. It is a testament to the combination of advanced architectural practices and modern technology, marking a new era in architectural design.
The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM) building in Seoul is distinguished by its white, organic, spherical form
© Namsun Lee, MAA
With its activities, the museum will both support the science of robotics and popularize knowledge about robots.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Melike Altınışık Architects (MAA).
