**YANGPYEONG HOUSE**
**Concept & Design**
While co-authoring the *Bible of House Building*, I was commissioned by an acquaintance to design a house on a site in Yangpyeong. The client, a couple working in the publishing industry with a teenage son, were very modest in nature. In our first meeting, they expressed a desire for a warm and sturdy 2-story detached house of 35 pyeong (approximately 115 square meters). The house was to be located at the entrance to the newly developed Sansuyu Village, a place that was among the first to be built in the area. Although the house could have stood out with a striking exterior, the couple repeatedly emphasized that they only wanted a simple yet solid home. They also mentioned that the house should face south, with a vegetable garden, and that they hoped to be surrounded by books throughout the house. Therefore, the first floor was designed as a public space for hosting guests, as well as for the couple's private use, while the second floor would be a private space for the family and their son. The permitted floor area was kept as small as possible, with any extra space made up in the attic.
Unlike typical rural plots, the given site was a relatively simple rectangle. If designed inwardly and oriented strictly to the south, the house risked becoming an artificial structure that would only face nature. Throughout the design process, various alternatives were explored, and ultimately, we proposed dividing the house into multiple layers to engage with nature as much as possible, allowing for a slower, more reflective lifestyle.
Having lived in a simple and fast-paced apartment, the client family desired a home where speed would be secondary to creating a space with family stories and diverse interactions. Upon opening the front gate and stepping into the yard, the house is divided into five distinct layers. Since the house is located at the village entrance, a wall was necessary to subtly conceal the entrance. However, no walls were placed to the north or south, allowing the space to remain open. As one enters the house, the direction is turned, revealing the southern yard and distant views framed within the space. This naturally created a porch in front of the entrance that shields from rain and sunlight. Passing through the transitional space of the entry deck, one encounters the hallway, living room, dining area, small library, and master bedroom. Each space draws the exterior landscape in through windows of varying directions and distances, providing a sense of contrast and richness. The entry hall and small library, which connects the key spaces on the first floor, serve to slow down the pace of movement. In particular, the small library separates the public living room from the private master bedroom, giving it the feel of a separate room, while also introducing nature through windows facing both the north and south. The client couple would enjoy a cup of tea here, savoring the changing nature throughout the day.
During the design process, the client also requested a space for his mother, who would occasionally visit from the countryside. Instead of creating a separate room for her, the space was designed to be flexible, with sliding doors connecting it to the living room, allowing it to be used as a guest room or multifunctional space.
The horizontal flow of the space was divided into five layers, with subtle height differences scattered throughout, creating functional separations and adding vertical movement within the home. The spatial experience felt most pronounced on the second floor and above. The master bedroom is slightly elevated compared to the living room, and the stairs leading to the second floor are positioned within an open space, allowing the inhabitants to feel the entire house as they move through it. Three attic spaces were incorporated on each level to add vertical variation and supplement the limited space. The attic above the master bedroom serves as storage for seasonal items, while the attic connected to the main staircase becomes a place where the family gathers to read and converse. The attic above the living room serves as a play area and sleeping space for the son.
The house was built using an environmentally friendly 2×6 frame structure, providing excellent insulation. The exterior walls were finished with Russian brick, chosen for its humble yet elegant appearance, reflecting the client's taste and creating a sense of timelessness that will weather the years. The wall in front of the entrance was finished with stucco, contrasting with the brick and providing a neat, minimalist atmosphere at the entry. A veranda with a sunshade was installed on the south side, in front of the living room and master bedroom, to regulate sunlight and create depth in the exterior.
The Yangpyeong house was designed not around the architect’s vision, but around the family’s story, naturally filling the space. It engages with the surrounding land and grows richer in its connection with nature, becoming a part of the neighborhood. Like the yellow Sansuyu flowers in spring, we hope this simple yet dignified house will bring happiness to its inhabitants for years to come.
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