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Soomsoom House
Soomsoom House
Seoul, South Korea
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Other Projects by Studio Gaon
Soomsoom House
Seoul, South Korea
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2021
SIZE
3000 sqft - 5000 sqft
Humans have lived alongside animals for a very long time. Traditionally, keeping animals served specific purposes—dogs for guarding homes, cats for catching mice, and cattle for helping with labor. But these roles have significantly shifted in recent times. Animals are no longer seen merely as livestock; they’ve become family members, aka “companions” Their role is no longer for functional assistance in our lives, but for emotional support, providing warmth and mental well-being. I believe this transformation stems largely from dramatic changes in our living environments and the social consequences of rapid urbanization in the modern era.
The news often reports that South Korea’s declining birthrate and increasing aging index are at critically serious levels. Population decline is typically seen as the sign of “end of a civilization,” but what matters is that we are living in an era demanding far more innovation and transformation than anticipated. Among the changes, the concept of “family” has shifted the most. According to Korean Bureau of Statistics, single-person households make up 35.5% of all households as of 2023.
Humans can’t live alone like castaways on a deserted island. While practical inconveniences and dangers exist, the most serious and urgent issue is the loneliness of life without emotional exchange. Due to this human nature, more and more households today treat their pets as family members. Around 3.13 million households—approximately 15% of all households—own a companion animal.
Not long ago, We designed a multi-unit residential building specifically for pet-owning families. A client approached me after acquiring a plot at the very end of a sloping neighborhood in Seoul—situated right on the boundary between city and mountain—and made a rather unique request. They wanted to build a home where cat owners—commonly referred to as “cat moms” — could live together. These cat moms have online communities where they share information and participate in rescue activities. They wondered what it might be like for these members to live together, so they decided to plan and execute such a housing project. While I’ve designed homes for pet owners before, this time it required an even more thoughtful and nuanced architectural approach.
We designed window ledges that allow our newly adopted cats to always look outside, taking into account their eye level and natural behaviors. I also planned separate, self-contained spaces for areas like the bathroom or balcony. Instead of standard hardwood or slick flooring—which can be hard on a cat’s joints— We chose a thicker, non-slip flooring material. For the walls, We selected a durable material that endures damage from scratching.
To accommodate the cats’ habit of climbing into tight spaces and dexterously navigating narrow areas, we installed wall-mounted shelves that double as a cat tower. We deemed it essential to add a pet-proof door at the entrance to prevent the cats from dashing outside when the main door opens. A tiny cat door was incorporated into each door, and we also installed a cat-proof window on the exterior balcony.
Just as architecture designed for life with pets has begun to emerge, we must continue to consider residential environments that align with the changing nature of families and individuals in our time. “SoomSoom House,” created for living with cats, was built in a location close to nature and shielded from outside views. This was essential to avoid drawing neighbors’ attention or causing potential disputes, and to help care for the cats more comfortably. While it is important to respond to rapidly changing environments by creating appropriate spaces, it also seems vital that people’s thinking expands and becomes more flexible—free from prejudices or preconceptions—just as the definitions of “family” and “neighborhood” continue to broaden out.
The news often reports that South Korea’s declining birthrate and increasing aging index are at critically serious levels. Population decline is typically seen as the sign of “end of a civilization,” but what matters is that we are living in an era demanding far more innovation and transformation than anticipated. Among the changes, the concept of “family” has shifted the most. According to Korean Bureau of Statistics, single-person households make up 35.5% of all households as of 2023.
Humans can’t live alone like castaways on a deserted island. While practical inconveniences and dangers exist, the most serious and urgent issue is the loneliness of life without emotional exchange. Due to this human nature, more and more households today treat their pets as family members. Around 3.13 million households—approximately 15% of all households—own a companion animal.
Not long ago, We designed a multi-unit residential building specifically for pet-owning families. A client approached me after acquiring a plot at the very end of a sloping neighborhood in Seoul—situated right on the boundary between city and mountain—and made a rather unique request. They wanted to build a home where cat owners—commonly referred to as “cat moms” — could live together. These cat moms have online communities where they share information and participate in rescue activities. They wondered what it might be like for these members to live together, so they decided to plan and execute such a housing project. While I’ve designed homes for pet owners before, this time it required an even more thoughtful and nuanced architectural approach.
We designed window ledges that allow our newly adopted cats to always look outside, taking into account their eye level and natural behaviors. I also planned separate, self-contained spaces for areas like the bathroom or balcony. Instead of standard hardwood or slick flooring—which can be hard on a cat’s joints— We chose a thicker, non-slip flooring material. For the walls, We selected a durable material that endures damage from scratching.
To accommodate the cats’ habit of climbing into tight spaces and dexterously navigating narrow areas, we installed wall-mounted shelves that double as a cat tower. We deemed it essential to add a pet-proof door at the entrance to prevent the cats from dashing outside when the main door opens. A tiny cat door was incorporated into each door, and we also installed a cat-proof window on the exterior balcony.
Just as architecture designed for life with pets has begun to emerge, we must continue to consider residential environments that align with the changing nature of families and individuals in our time. “SoomSoom House,” created for living with cats, was built in a location close to nature and shielded from outside views. This was essential to avoid drawing neighbors’ attention or causing potential disputes, and to help care for the cats more comfortably. While it is important to respond to rapidly changing environments by creating appropriate spaces, it also seems vital that people’s thinking expands and becomes more flexible—free from prejudices or preconceptions—just as the definitions of “family” and “neighborhood” continue to broaden out.
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