The garden House is located on the hill surrounding by mountain in special district for developing detached house on the outskirts of Seoul. Embedded in the topography, the entrance facing south is based on the idea of engaging the forest.
I began the design process by analyzing the neighboring buildings in order to determine the maximum size of the volume. Then, the courtyard on northern side of the house was created by carving the mass diagonally. Afterwards, the left side volume was pushed back the block, and tilted on the southern façade.
Also, the gabled roofs, which is a municipal ordiance in the special district, were cut as an unbalanced height. The openings created on the main structure were formed, based on a floor plan inspired by the philosophy of Taoism.
Thus, the front side of the house was composed of openings designed to be accessible while the rear side is designed for privacy as it connects the living room to the courtyard garden. Another opening on the second floor, composed of a veranda with large windows, brings in natural light into the first floor.
In contrast to the green surroundings, the building appears as a dark gray volume due to the basalt stone and the zinc roof on outer layer.
On the nothern face, the shaded area, which commonly preferred for Korean people on the north, was an internal courtyard designed as a private space for relaxation. The building is made of the basalt stone with the zinc roof on outer layer. On the southern facade, the windows and the main entrance were consisted of a series of well-proportioned opening framed by the basalt stone elements.
Finish : Basalt, Glass, Aluminum, Stainless steel
Structure : H Bim Structure
Status : Constructed
Photo : Seung Atelier