COEX is quite a large and intricate structure, although you may not be able to see it from the outside. That is because, similarly to an iceberg, the majority of the structure is underground. It is the largest subterranean shopping mall in Asia, has the latest and greatest in fashion trends, excellent food, and is a top tourist attraction. The goal of the design was to make an urban river, so to speak. This is accomplished very well as the underground portion spreads out and has pockets where the roof is removed, allowing in the natural daylight. When looking down into these pockets from above ground, the movement of the people resembles that of flowing water.

Additionally, there are small to moderately large sized aquariums throughout the structure.

This imagery leads me to suspect that the main (above ground) portion would be the mouth of the “river.” This is of course is where people enter, but like a river to the ocean, it is where people ultimately leave and go out into the world.

Jonathan Ruiz