KCC from South Korea has participated in the "CU Re:fuel" project, which involves remodeling closed fuel stations into convenience stores. "CU Re:fuel" is an urban renewal model developed by BGF Retail. By incorporating KCC's expertise in color and design, the project transforms decommissioned gas stations into safe and pleasant spaces.
The first location of this project is the "CU Soheul IC Branch," which was created by remodeling a closed gas station located on Hoguk-ro, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province. On a site covering 430 square meters (about 130 pyeong), a 126-square-meter (about 38 pyeong) space has been created as a multifunctional living area that combines a convenience store with vehicle user facilities.
KCC utilized Color Universal Design (CUD) to preserve the unique spatial characteristics of the former gas station while distinguishing the pathways for vehicles and pedestrians. A color scheme was applied so that users can intuitively recognize the function of each facility and space.
CUD is a design technique that systematically arranges colors, brightness, saturation, and patterns so that everyone—including those with color vision deficiency or low vision—can easily understand information about spaces and objects. Its purpose is to improve safety and convenience by clearly indicating directions of movement, danger zones, and facility uses.
Taking into account the nature of the store where both vehicle and pedestrian movement occurs, KCC analyzed the original layout and traffic patterns of the gas station and developed a color plan for the floors, pillars, convenience store building, walls, and canopies. Areas such as vehicle entrance and exit zones, pedestrian entrances, crosswalks, product pickup zones, and rest areas were differentiated by color, enabling intuitive recognition of space functions and movement directions
The movement areas for vehicles and pedestrians were differentiated by color as well as by contrasts in brightness and saturation, which reduced confusion at points where paths intersect. Entryways, pickup zones, and rest areas within the convenience store also received color schemes tailored to their specific functions.
To implement the design effectively, KCC used functional paints such as "Sensetan Quick Dry," a highly weather-resistant urethane coating that withstands long-term environmental changes; "Lumisafe," a phosphorescent paint that glows in the dark; and MMA, which helps reduce slip accidents.
KCC plans to gradually expand the application of CUD in line with the rollout of additional CU Re:fuel locations. Through this project and collaborations across various industries, KCC is actively working to promote the competitiveness of its color design solutions, including CUD.
A representative from the KCC Color Design Center stated, "In spaces where vehicles and pedestrians interact, it is even more critical to use color design to clearly convey the pathways and functional areas. Moving forward, by combining Color Universal Design tailored to space usage and user characteristics with functional coatings, we will expand customized safety environment solutions that enhance design quality, safety, and convenience in industrial settings as well as commercial and living facilities."
Share this:
