### ① Background of the Architecture and Desired Features of the Client
The client of the “BOOK STEP 2.5” house in Unjung-dong is a family of three generations living together, commonly referred to as a “kangaroo house.” They wanted to build a home where parents, as well as the couple and their children, could live under one roof. While the entrance should be shared, they wanted the spaces for the mother, the couple, and the children to be independent, ensuring privacy for each family unit. The mother desired a sunny southern garden and an independent kitchen on the first floor. The husband, an automotive researcher, wanted a parking garage where he could view his car from the inside and use the space for multipurpose activities when the car wasn’t there. In addition, the couple, who run an architectural internet cafe as a hobby, requested a space with a stepped stage and seating for giving small lectures. They also wanted a small gathering space near the kitchen to share their knowledge of tarot readings. The couple, being movie enthusiasts, wanted a large space where the entire family could enjoy films together, as well as a small private home theater. Moreover, they desired a continuous bookshelf in the living room to display their collection of Blu-rays, tarot cards, figurines, and architectural models, as well as a space that would spark their children's imagination with various ceiling heights rather than a uniformly high ceiling.
### ② Thoughts on Building Layout and Size
The site faces the four-lane Unjung Road to the north, and the only available entry is a narrow 4-meter wide access road on the south and east sides. By placing the parking garage at the entrance, a cozy southern garden with ample sunlight was planned for the mother’s space. The house was designed with a single entrance, dividing the units for the mother and the couple/children. Most of the first floor, which receives good southern sunlight, was allocated to the mother’s space and connected to the garden. The family’s living area was placed on the second floor, ensuring privacy for the couple and their children. The couple’s unit was planned with the kitchen, dining room, and parking garage on the first floor, while the living room, master bedroom, and children’s rooms were placed on the second floor. To satisfy the couple’s hobby, a large space was planned on the second floor for a home theater, and the stairs leading to the attic were designed with wide bookshelves and seating, creating a space resembling bookstore stairs for lectures or gatherings. Additionally, the kitchen on the first floor was connected to a small seating area and the stairs to the second floor, allowing for easy gatherings. On the second floor, the couple’s living space was arranged as a continuous sequence from the master bedroom to the study and the deck, while the children’s rooms were connected to the attic, creating a flow of space. The children’s rooms were designed with foldable walls that could be adjusted to allow for flexible space use, either as separate rooms or as one open area connected to the living room, stairs, and attic. The varied ceiling heights in the children’s rooms, living room, and attic added richness to the space.
### ③ Construction Method, Materials, and Exterior Finishes
To provide a spacious environment for the couple’s hobbies and allow their children to play freely, the house was constructed using the I-JOIST method, which can support larger spans compared to traditional SPF timber structures. For the exterior, red clay bricks were used. These bricks were delivered in pallets from the port, and due to the potential for efflorescence, the construction team inspected the bricks at the port before transporting them to the site. Only those with minimal efflorescence were selected and used in the final construction.
### ④ Challenges During Construction and Solutions
One challenge encountered during construction was the issue of efflorescence in the red clay bricks used for the exterior. Since efflorescence is not visible until the bricks are unpacked, the construction team took extra care by inspecting the bricks at the port and selecting only those with minimal efflorescence. This proactive approach ensured that the exterior finish would remain pristine.
### ⑤ Interior Design Concept
The interior design of the house focused on highlighting the richness of the space's sectional composition. The walls were painted white, and the floors were finished with wood and tile, allowing the texture of the materials to be felt. The mother’s kitchen on the first floor was designed with marble cabinetry, considering her age and lifestyle, while the couple's kitchen on the second floor featured black-colored cabinetry and lighting as a design accent. The study area in front of the master bedroom was finished with red larch on both the walls and ceiling, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere for the husband’s research space. The couple designed the furniture based on their own lifestyle and sketches, and it was custom-made and installed on-site.
### ⑥ Unique Features of the House
The "BOOK STEP 2.5" house in Unjung-dong was designed for a three-generation family to live together under one roof while maintaining privacy. The first floor, which benefits from southern exposure, was mostly allocated to the mother’s space, while the family of the couple and children lived on the second floor. The couple’s living room was placed on the second floor to enjoy the spaciousness and the view of the northern walking path. The mother’s garden was placed on the first floor, connected to the living room, while the couple’s unit had a deck on the second floor and a rooftop deck, providing private outdoor spaces with a view of the neighborhood. The house allowed for the family to naturally connect through the shared kitchen and dining room, while each unit was designed with separate spaces to ensure privacy. The second floor for the couple’s family had two separate entrances and was designed with a circular flow of space, where rooms could be connected or remain independent. The central wall of the children’s room was designed as a movable partition to accommodate the expected birth of their second child, allowing the rooms to be divided or opened up as needed. The ceiling height in the children’s rooms, living room, and attic was varied, enhancing the spatial experience and stimulating the children's creativity. The attic was designed with a circular flow, making it a natural play area for the children.
### ⑦ Post-Completion Review
This project is unique in that, unlike a typical duplex with two separate entrances, the house was designed with a single entrance, where the spaces for the parents and the couple/children were divided while still allowing for natural interactions. Most of the first floor was allocated to the mother’s space, while the family of the couple and children had their living spaces on the second floor. The design allowed for flexible space usage, where areas could be expanded or separated as needed. The varied ceiling heights and the use of stairs as seating created multifunctional spaces suited to the couple’s hobbies and the children’s development. The attic was designed with circular movement, providing a playful and creative environment for the children. The “BOOK STEP 2.5” house was planned to meet the needs of a family wanting both independence and connection, offering privacy and flexibility for all three generations living together.
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