Studio Weave’s visually-striking cliff top house on South Korea’s eastern peninsula draws its inspiration from traditional domestic forms and materials.
Photos
Kyung Roh
Located on a cliff top overlooking South Korea’s Eastern Sea, Seosaeng House is a multi-generational family home designed by Studio Weave. The name of the dwelling translates as ‘the brightening East’ or ‘new life’. Commenting on the project, Studio Weave director Je Ahn said, “We were inspired by Korean colours and textures and looked to create a home that demonstrates how traditional domestic architecture could be reimagined through a contemporary sensibility. Favouring warm and subtle materials, Seoseang House is of its place and climate, where every window is a moment to view the tranquil surroundings.”
The massing of the project maximises the permitted size generated by Korean planning law – a formula determining the possible volume, size and area in relation to distance from the neighbouring land. Organised around a landscaped courtyard garden, the U-shaped floor plan steps down the steeply sloping rocky site. From street level, the three principal forms appear as one and are concealed behind a facade of fluted, pink-tinted concrete tiles. The latter evoke the tones of the surrounding soil and appear to glow red with the sunrise.
A set of concrete stairs lead the way to the entrance, passing a landscaped retaining wall amassed with river boulders. Dark volcanic paving covers the landing and is left intentionally rough, enabling it to be reclaimed by vegetation and settle into the landscape over time. The deep eaves provides shelter upon entering the house (in line with domestic customs), as well as mitigate solar gain. A traditional long stone delineates the space for shoes to be left outside, while a steel hanging bar is used for traditional food preservation.
Inside, an open-plan kitchen and living room occupy the eastern side of the plan, with natural light drawn from generous windows overlooking the ocean and the central courtyard. The rectangular room is divided by a set of stairs that traverse the house’s main axis up to the main bedroom, ensuite, main bathroom and children’s room.
Acting as a pivot point, the central courtyard is conceived as both a contemporary and traditional feature that supports the daily life. A secondary living room is reserved for intimate family time, and the private sitting area on the upper level provides views through the house to the harbour.
The material palette is inspired by Korean tradition. Kitchen joinery, bench seating and storage is made from Lauan ply – a warm, tactile and cost-effective Asian hardwood. The richly-textured and hardwearing grey terrazzo flooring incorporates underfloor heating, while the exposed concrete structure provides thermal mass.
Designed in collaboration with Korean firm, Garden&Forest, the external landscape is divided into four sections and planted to maximise the different characteristics and mini-microclimates of the site topography. Hardy low-lying plants protect soil between the rocks, and evergreen shrubs act as a windbreak on the exposed eastern elevation. Grasses allow the view to take centre stage at the front of the house. The courtyard provides a warm, humid climate suited to ferns, delicate flowers and deciduous trees. A rock garden at the rear planted with evergreen shrubs protects the soil and house from water runoff, and provides colour throughout the year.
Additional images
Source: Architecture Today