Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 177

At first, Mateo didn’t fully believe what Bruno said.

“I mentioned that the solution to your 3D design problem might be in Korea.”

“An architect who’s really good with 3D design is in Korea?” Mateo asked.

He knew many people in Spain, but none of them could solve his problem.

“Well, you could say it’s something like that,” Bruno replied.

“Hmm…?”

“Looking at his work, he definitely has the skills in that area.”

Mateo’s contacts in Spain were mostly important people in the architecture world.

Even they struggled with non-standard designs and the 3D skills needed to build them.

“Can I ask who this person is?” Mateo inquired.

“Like I said, he’s an architect like us. The only special thing is… he’s very young.”

“Age? How young are we talking about?”

“I only know that he’s in his twenties.”

“……!”

After hearing that he was so young, it would have been strange if Mateo had believed it right away.

‘In his twenties? Can an architect in his twenties from the Orient really do non-standard 3D design?’ Mateo wondered.

But Mateo felt he had to go to Korea.

“If I go to Korea… can I meet this person you mentioned?”

“Of course. He’s working with me on a big mall project.”

“Oho.”

He felt he had to try anything to find a solution.

More than expecting anything from the architect, he trusted his old friend Bruno’s words.

‘If Bruno says this much, there must be a reason. Besides, he’s working with him…’ Mateo thought.

Bruno wasn’t someone who took things lightly.

If he recommended someone, they would at least offer some helpful ideas, even if they didn’t have the exact answer he needed.

So, Mateo decided to go to Korea right away, even before finishing the call with Bruno.

“I’ll look into plane tickets right away,” Mateo said.

“Heh heh. Good thinking. I admire your drive,” Bruno replied.

“Isn’t Mateo all about drive?”

“Actually, if the conference hadn’t been delayed, I was going to bring him to Spain, but the timing didn’t work out,” Bruno explained.

“Aha. It would have been nice if that had happened… a little disappointing,” Mateo said.

“Well, what can you do?”

To quickly arrange the trip to Korea, he started planning his schedule.

“So, when do you think you’ll arrive in Korea, roughly?” Bruno asked.

“I’ll have to check, but I’ll be there before October at the latest,” Mateo answered.

“Oho. Something happening in October?”

“I have to present the basic plan to the chairman before the end of October,” Mateo explained.

“I see. Good. Let me know when you know your schedule,” Bruno said.

“Thanks, Bruno.”

“Don’t mention it.”

That’s how Mateo decided to go to Korea, and today he came to WJ Studio with Bruno.

But even as he walked through Seongsu-dong after arriving in Korea, he didn’t have high expectations. As Mateo walked through Seongsu-dong, the air felt different from Madrid – maybe a little more humid, and the sounds of Korean mixed with the city noise.

He would be happy if he got even one small idea that would help him satisfy the club chairman through this meeting.

‘Young and passionate designers always inspire creative and special ideas,’ Mateo thought.

But Mateo’s thoughts, which hadn’t changed even when he met Woojin, completely changed when he entered the conference room of WJ Studio.

“Haha. Mateo’s visit seems a bit embarrassing,” Bruno said.

“Embarrassing? It’s an honor to have him. I’m curious, what made you decide to visit?” Woojin asked.

“The reason he came to see you is right there,” Bruno replied.

“Yes…?”

While Bruno chatted easily with the young designer, Seo Woojin, Mateo’s gaze drifted around the conference room. It was a modern space, all clean lines and glass, a stark contrast to the older, more cluttered studios he knew in Madrid. Then, his eyes stopped. In the corner, bathed in the afternoon sun, stood a model.

Mateo froze. It wasn’t just a model; it was a breathtaking sculpture of light and form. Twisted metal ribbons seemed to dance upwards, creating a shape that defied gravity. Interactive pattern? He stepped closer, his architect’s mind racing. *How* was such a complex, atypical structure even conceived?

Mateo had dedicated his life to architecture. He had poured over countless designs, always pushing for innovation. Yet, standing here in this small Korean office, he felt a jolt of something new, something truly original. This pavilion model… it was a revelation.

And one more thing.

‘If this person really designed that model…!’ Mateo thought.

The uniqueness of this sculpture was close to the answer to the non-standard architecture he was working on.

Mateo felt goosebumps all over his body.

Mateo now understood why Bruno had encouraged him to go to Korea.

So, completely focused on the sculpture, Mateo didn’t even hear Woojin and Bruno talking.

After snapping out of his daze, Mateo’s first words to Woojin were:

“Um… Woojin?”

“Yes, Mateo. What is it?”

“Is this sculpture your work?” Mateo asked.

Mateo didn’t like to beat around the bush.

He had to ask this question first.

Woojin, a faint blush rising on his cheeks, nodded slowly. ‘Yes, it is.’

Bruno, understanding the situation, just laughed quietly.

“Estás loco (You’re crazy)!” Mateo exclaimed.

As Mateo exclaimed, Jayden, who had already entered the conference room, whispered to Woojin.

“He’s asking if you’re crazy, Woojin?”

“……?”

He then added with a giggle.

“Amazing yeah.”

Woojin, having heard a rough explanation from Bruno, understood the situation.

“Ah, so…”

“Woojin was just the person I knew who handled 3D tools the best. Haha,” Bruno said.

“That’s an overstatement, Bruno,” Woojin replied.

After hearing all this, Jayden and Seokhyun were already excited.

‘Mateo Villa… and he wants my help with a stadium design in La Liga, the top football league in Spain…’ Woojin thought.

No matter how much Woojin knew about the future and the famous architect Mateo Villa.

He couldn’t remember all his works.

Woojin admired famous architects from overseas and knew a lot about them.

But unless he was a big fan of an architect, he usually only knew a few of their most famous works.

So, the fact that Mateo had designed a stadium was news to him.

But one thing was certain.

This was a special opportunity to make the name of designer Seo Woojin known overseas.

‘I have to hear what Mateo wants from me, but I’m already curious,’ Woojin thought.

Seokhyun and Jayden, who liked football even more than Woojin, were incredibly excited.

“Woojin! Do you know what my dream is?” Jayden asked.

“Be quiet, Jayden,” Woojin said.

“My dream is to design a Premier League stadium, like Wembley Stadium…”

“Can you leave for a while, Jayden?”

“Bloody Hell!”

“Seokgu, get him out of here,” Woojin ordered.

“Crazy… we might be able to work on the San Mamés stadium…” Seokhyun muttered.

“Um… Seokgu?”

“Seokhyun, San Mames is Athletic Club’s home stadium, right?” Jayden asked.

“That’s right, Jayden.”

“Holy… !”

“All of you, get out!” Woojin exclaimed.

There was a bit of a commotion, but Bruno and Mateo understood.

They seemed proud that young Korean designers liked Spanish football so much.

“It’s okay, Woojin. Haha,” Bruno said.

“Let’s have a drink and talk seriously,” Mateo suggested.

Of course, Woojin was embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, Bruno. There are many stories to tell today… ha…”

After calming things down with a drink, Woojin brought up the pavilion and Parafield design again.

No matter how unexpected Mateo’s visit was, and no matter how interesting the news he brought.

The most important thing was the Wangsimni Parafield project.

“Well, then, let’s talk about the pavilion model that Woojin prepared,” Bruno suggested.

Woojin nodded and asked the staff to put the prototype model on the table.

When the model rose above eye level, it felt different from when viewed from above, which was Woojin’s intention.

When this pavilion is in Parafield’s lobby, most people will see it from below.

“Before I explain this design… can I talk about the design process step by step?” Woojin asked.

Bruno nodded.

“You said you created the basic design inspired by my design, and I’ve been curious about that since the last meeting,” Bruno said.

Mateo, sipping his Americano, started to pay close attention.

He felt that the question he was most curious about would be answered.

‘Process… good. I’m curious about how they made such an unusual pattern,’ Mateo thought.

Now that things had calmed down, Woojin spoke again.

“The key to the process I’m about to show you is…”

Woojin raised the laser pointer and pressed the button, and light slowly appeared on the black screen.

“The parameters and algorithms in this sculpture, and the fabrication solution that made it possible to produce it this way.”

Everyone in the room focused on Woojin’s calm but powerful voice.