Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, where is located, is an area where residents can easily commute to Seoul and enjoy nature at leisurely pace. Haon(the son)'s family bought the land charmed by the scenic Yangpyeong landscape. They wanted a home that included a work space for the mother who works at home for child care and a playroom for the imaginative four-year-old child.
A typical Korean family has been composed of 3 generations; married couple, grandparents, and children. Over time, single parent and children, single-person households, or Pets including dogs and cats, are entering the family category. How can a fixed residential space accept such changes?
'Home' and 'family' are the most fundamental basis in human life. I think these two nouns are the last resort of human life. But everything in the world changes. Change is not a matter of choice. It is very challenging but pleasant task to accept the fear of such change as a natural progress, and find a solution to design a house that responds to changed lifestyles.
In the past, when the family was large, the living room was a very important space, acting as the center of the house. Guests were also served mainly in the living room.
But nowadays, kitchens have become the center of household chores and the most important space for gathering. When designing a house, it is becoming a case to eradicate a room for each member but rather set up space for activities. In this house, the kitchen and dining become almost the center of the house. The kitchen is connected to all spaces including living room, yard, attic and guest room.
And Haon's father wanted a house that is secure. What is a secure house? First, the house must protect people from typhoons, heavy rains, heat and cold, nature, or other threats.
In addition to such external conditions, we should also consider internal family issues. Because we are living together with others, the problem arise when there are conflicts due to distinct personality. Can we design a secure house from the vague fears of such unpredictable changes?
We first set up several layers around the core so that the layers could become practical walls and give a psychological stability. And within the layers, rooms are inserted.
The land to sit the house was divided into two levels. On the lower level, the gate was placed in the yard, spread between the parking lot and the house, filtering out access from the outside. Passing through the wings that leads to the outer wall of the house, the courtyard appears. There is a cozy Daecheong Maru (roofed elevated floor) connected to the guest room, which connects the front courtyard to the back yard flowlessly. Guests can stay in outer space and on the elevated floor without having to come deep into the house.
Each of the spaces inside seems to be disconnected but inter-connected. On the first floor, there is a living room, a guest room, and a kitchen. The living room has a dropped floor, making it a more cozy . There are two staircases leading to the second floor, one visible and the other hidden . The hidden stair is located behind the tea room, which is the space for the mother and is child's favorite hideaway. The hidden staircase leads to the second floor attic. The attic is connected to the room of the son, then leads to the main room of the house, including the the master bedroom and bathroom.
The organic space that reminds the stairs of the Escher, is complicated, but gives relief. In this house where disconnections and connections coexist, the bonds of family will be deepened through the circulation that promotes both independent movement and chance meeting.
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