‘Open house’ at Omani embassy

Omani diplomats including Ambassador Mohamed Salim Hamood Alharthy, center in the front row, pose for a photo with guests who participated in a tour of the embassy, Thursday. It was part of Seoul Open Week. / Courtesy of the Omani Embassy

The Omani Embassy, housed in a beautiful Arabic building in central Seoul has never been open to the public.

On Thursday, 26 lucky Seoulites had a rare chance to look around the edifice as a part of Seoul Open Week.

Omani Ambassador to Korea Mohamed Salim Alharthy greeted guests, saying, “I hope you can explore Omani design and architecture in this unique building and promote cooperation between Korea and Oman.”

Completed last year, the embassy showcases the essence of the nation’s culture. David-Pierre Jalicon of D.P.J. & Partners, who designed the building including interior and furniture, attended the open house to explain their work. “We tried to present Omani culture in a way that it could fit in the modern city of Seoul,” Jalicon said.

The top of the building is covered with a glass roof with an Arabic pattern on it and glows warmly at night. The marble is imported from Oman, while other materials such as the glass are from Korea.

The interior is as sophisticated as the outside. Fancy railings adorn staircases of the reception hall in the first basement level, which receives natural light directly from a round mirrored column that leads to a skylight.

Park Sang-hee, an 18-year-old university student who took part in the tour said, “I was impressed by the architecture as well as the silver craftworks on display,” Park said.

The British embassy also participated in the program. <The Korea Times/Kwon Mee-yoo>

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