**Concept Description by Space**
The site of Moipin Sky was originally home to a resort called "Morning Finland," operated by the building's owner. This resort, known for its beautiful views of the Namhae Sea and an infinity pool, was a popular tourist destination attracting many visitors. In 2020, the owner, looking for a new business venture, purchased the land in front of the resort and, in collaboration with Yuta Architecture, opened a café named "Moipin" (meaning "Hello Finland"). This café became a huge success and eventually outperformed the resort in sales. Encouraged by this success, the owner decided to demolish the original resort and build a large café. Yuta Architecture, the same firm that designed Moipin, was once again entrusted with the design.
The owner’s key request for the new design was to create a building that would provide customers with an unobstructed view of the sea. Based on the previous experience of parking issues at the Moipin café, the owner also requested that the design maximize parking space. Given that the steep terrain had remained stable for years, the new café’s design would aim to preserve the existing landscape after the resort was demolished.
Moipin Sky consists of the main café building, a management building for employee welfare and the management of Moipin's branches 1 and 2, and two parking buildings. The layout utilizes the flat area where the original resort was located. The café building, offering the best sea view, is placed in the widest area, with the management building positioned between the two café buildings. The two parking buildings are located at the highest point to avoid obstructing the view of the architectural structures.
The design of the building is primarily focused on the function of the views, which is reflected in the extensive use of glass walls. The spaces between floors are kept open, with only the floors themselves emphasized, creating a contrast between open and solid spaces. The design concept maximizes this contrast, with thick slabs that seem to float in the air, each varying in width as it repeats across the building’s levels. This simple yet varied approach allows for diversity within the concept.
The repetitive panels separate interior and exterior spaces, and the exterior spaces, free from visible columns, provide unobstructed views of the sea. The key was to create a spacious external area where customers can enjoy their time comfortably. To achieve this, a cantilever structure was used, which is typically 1.5 meters wide (like an apartment balcony), but Moipin Sky employed a massive cantilever of 6 meters, offering an expansive outdoor space with an open view of the sea. This required advanced structural techniques and close collaboration with structural engineers, along with additional permit processes for structural review. Though this approach took more time and effort, the sense of achievement upon seeing the building take shape was incredibly rewarding.
The interior concept aims to extend the open, expansive feel of the exterior into the interior spaces. When entering the lobby on the first floor, visitors are greeted by a curved open space and a massive chandelier above the counter. The large staircase next to it creates a seamless transition between the first and second floors. This concept of continuous open spaces is repeated across all four floors, where the curved open spaces and staircases create a visual continuity. Horizontally, the interior space, terrace, and sea are interconnected, while vertically, the four floors are linked by curved open spaces and staircases, allowing users to experience a sense of spatial expansion both horizontally and vertically. The consistency of finishing materials and the carefully selected furniture and accessories further enhanced the overall feel of the space.
After the building received its occupancy approval, it wasn’t long before the owner shared the great news that the café business was thriving. The owner’s simple statement, "It’s all thanks to the architect," was the highest form of reward for the designer. A few days ago, the owner asked for another project, leading me to visit Yeosu again. Upon returning to Moipin Sky after the completion, it was an overwhelming experience to see the building being used by customers, after having only seen it under construction. Even on a weekday, seeing so many people enjoying the space with bright smiles was the most rewarding moment for me as an architect.
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