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Suwon 'Happiness Tree House'
Suwon 'Happiness Tree House'
Suwon-si, South Korea
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Other Projects by UTAA
Suwon 'Happiness Tree House'
Suwon-si, South Korea
### A. Description of the House
#### ① Background of the Architecture and the Homeowner’s Requests
The homeowners, a couple both working full-time, decided to design their house to create lasting memories in a more nature-connected environment as their children grew quickly. The husband, who has various hobbies and talents, wanted a space with IoT smart home features, a home theater, a shaded yard for relaxing, and space for woodworking projects. For their children, the parents requested a large opening between the two kids' rooms to allow them to pass through using furniture the husband would personally make and install. Additionally, the parents requested a playground with a swing for the children to play in the yard. The wife, who prefers clean and simple spaces, wanted organized areas that were functional. These requirements came together to form "Happiness Tree House," a home that serves as a grand experimental space, a place for play, and a comfortable and tidy home.
#### ② Previous Site Condition and Thoughts on Building Layout and Size
The land, developed as part of a residential development project, had been filled to match the neighboring land levels on the sides and rear, with a slight hill about 3.5 meters higher than the front road. To overcome the elevation for house access, the homeowner’s request for an underground parking garage was integrated with two stairways—one from the main entrance and another from the garage. Above the garage, a separate storage room is placed, supporting the L-shaped second floor of the house, while a pilotis space between the house and storage room connects to a shaded yard in summer. To ensure natural light and a cozy inner yard, the main mass of the house was positioned toward the road. As a result, the house's front facing the road was designed with minimal protrusions to maintain a calm horizontal view, and the roofline followed the horizontal lines of the road. Although the building might have had a limited open feeling due to the underground portion and its proximity to the road, the shading yard and setback upper walls created a non-monotonous exterior with a well-balanced color distribution. The size of the house is sufficient for the family of four (the couple and their two children), providing ample space.
#### ③ Construction Method and Interior/Exterior Finishing Materials and Why
The structure and exterior of the house reflect the homeowner's long-time desire for a sturdy brick house. The interior reflects the husband's knowledge and expertise in IoT and telecommunications, with various features integrated throughout. A dedicated server box for the home’s entire electrical communication system was placed in the living room, and the locations for communication facilities, crucial for smoothly operating the home’s AI-powered devices, were considered from the design stage.
#### ④ Difficulties During Construction and How They Were Overcome, and Time Taken to Complete
(From March 16, 2018 to November 6, 2018, 236 days)
As with any construction project, "Happiness Tree House" faced difficulties, particularly related to changes in the surrounding environment, such as neighboring construction projects. Due to the zoning restrictions in the planned area, some of the building’s scale and land layout were difficult to align, causing concerns about natural light and open space. As a result, the land level was adjusted early in the project, and after the frame was poured, the location of some windows had to be revised to accommodate the neighboring land’s elevation. Additionally, implementing the smart home system required the study of electrical communications, and continuous consultations between the homeowner, construction company, and architects were necessary for successful completion.
#### ⑤ Interior Concept
The couple, who prefer clean designs, requested that the interior and various devices be simple yet purposeful, never exceeding their intended use. Every aspect of the design, from interior finishes to internal and external devices, was carefully planned and built in constant collaboration with the homeowner to ensure functionality in daily life. The interior concept is functional, not flashy, and practical without being crude.
#### ⑥ Key Features of This House (Interior/Exterior Focus)
The most distinctive feature of this house is its IoT system, which covers the entire home. The sensors on windows and doors that notify when they are opened, the house-wide monitoring pad installed on the wall next to the dining room (which allows users to check different spaces via touch, with the background showing architectural floor plans), and the smart home system that monitors even the carbon monoxide levels in the boiler room in the basement are likely the most notable characteristics of this house.
#### ⑦ Completion Review
This house has become a home where the children can run and play freely, the wife enjoys a clean and simple lifestyle, and the husband has a grand experimental space. As these various needs and characteristics came together, the space evolved beyond its physical completion, becoming a place that continues to adapt in functionality as time goes on.
#### ① Background of the Architecture and the Homeowner’s Requests
The homeowners, a couple both working full-time, decided to design their house to create lasting memories in a more nature-connected environment as their children grew quickly. The husband, who has various hobbies and talents, wanted a space with IoT smart home features, a home theater, a shaded yard for relaxing, and space for woodworking projects. For their children, the parents requested a large opening between the two kids' rooms to allow them to pass through using furniture the husband would personally make and install. Additionally, the parents requested a playground with a swing for the children to play in the yard. The wife, who prefers clean and simple spaces, wanted organized areas that were functional. These requirements came together to form "Happiness Tree House," a home that serves as a grand experimental space, a place for play, and a comfortable and tidy home.
#### ② Previous Site Condition and Thoughts on Building Layout and Size
The land, developed as part of a residential development project, had been filled to match the neighboring land levels on the sides and rear, with a slight hill about 3.5 meters higher than the front road. To overcome the elevation for house access, the homeowner’s request for an underground parking garage was integrated with two stairways—one from the main entrance and another from the garage. Above the garage, a separate storage room is placed, supporting the L-shaped second floor of the house, while a pilotis space between the house and storage room connects to a shaded yard in summer. To ensure natural light and a cozy inner yard, the main mass of the house was positioned toward the road. As a result, the house's front facing the road was designed with minimal protrusions to maintain a calm horizontal view, and the roofline followed the horizontal lines of the road. Although the building might have had a limited open feeling due to the underground portion and its proximity to the road, the shading yard and setback upper walls created a non-monotonous exterior with a well-balanced color distribution. The size of the house is sufficient for the family of four (the couple and their two children), providing ample space.
#### ③ Construction Method and Interior/Exterior Finishing Materials and Why
The structure and exterior of the house reflect the homeowner's long-time desire for a sturdy brick house. The interior reflects the husband's knowledge and expertise in IoT and telecommunications, with various features integrated throughout. A dedicated server box for the home’s entire electrical communication system was placed in the living room, and the locations for communication facilities, crucial for smoothly operating the home’s AI-powered devices, were considered from the design stage.
#### ④ Difficulties During Construction and How They Were Overcome, and Time Taken to Complete
(From March 16, 2018 to November 6, 2018, 236 days)
As with any construction project, "Happiness Tree House" faced difficulties, particularly related to changes in the surrounding environment, such as neighboring construction projects. Due to the zoning restrictions in the planned area, some of the building’s scale and land layout were difficult to align, causing concerns about natural light and open space. As a result, the land level was adjusted early in the project, and after the frame was poured, the location of some windows had to be revised to accommodate the neighboring land’s elevation. Additionally, implementing the smart home system required the study of electrical communications, and continuous consultations between the homeowner, construction company, and architects were necessary for successful completion.
#### ⑤ Interior Concept
The couple, who prefer clean designs, requested that the interior and various devices be simple yet purposeful, never exceeding their intended use. Every aspect of the design, from interior finishes to internal and external devices, was carefully planned and built in constant collaboration with the homeowner to ensure functionality in daily life. The interior concept is functional, not flashy, and practical without being crude.
#### ⑥ Key Features of This House (Interior/Exterior Focus)
The most distinctive feature of this house is its IoT system, which covers the entire home. The sensors on windows and doors that notify when they are opened, the house-wide monitoring pad installed on the wall next to the dining room (which allows users to check different spaces via touch, with the background showing architectural floor plans), and the smart home system that monitors even the carbon monoxide levels in the boiler room in the basement are likely the most notable characteristics of this house.
#### ⑦ Completion Review
This house has become a home where the children can run and play freely, the wife enjoys a clean and simple lifestyle, and the husband has a grand experimental space. As these various needs and characteristics came together, the space evolved beyond its physical completion, becoming a place that continues to adapt in functionality as time goes on.
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