Hadaewon Housing is an affordable public housing project located on the city outskirts of Seongnam in South Korea. The housing is specifically for senior citizens, recent graduates and college students. The site is surrounded by an old residential neighbourhood, and tucked behind a row of commercial buildings that line a heavily trafficked street. The building occupies the maximum footprint of its long rectangular site. There are fourteen single units plus common spaces, which were prefabricated offsite.
Each unit maximizes natural sunlight through a fully glazed south wall. The glazing consists of a two-tier framed window - an upper register, that is fixed and a lower register, that is operable, lined with vertical louvers. The louvers are mirrored to each adjacent unit creating an undulating rhythm on the south façade. This rhythm also translates to the front of the building, the west façade. Alternating charcoal ceramic protrusions and angled cutouts punctuate this façade.
The units share several common spaces. The entry lobby leads to a well-lit atrium with the main stairwell. Both are connected to the community room, which offers various amenities. At the top of the stairs, residents can relax on the roof terrace. The terrace is shaded by a canopy of built-in photovoltaics (BIPV). This creates a semi-sheltered outdoor retreat that is open on three sides, which offers multi-directional views to its immediate surroundings.