JMY architects create a flexible living unit with seongdong-dong house

JMY architects create a flexible living unit with seongdong-dong house
image © joonhwan yoon
 

JMY architect’s ‘seongdong-dong house’ has just enough space for three rooms and a small garden, a traditional korean basic unit of dwelling. the home is a remodel of an existing structure. the original split the 172m² plot into separate space; a garden started on the southern boundary, and the home was pushed to the northern edge. JMY changed the location of the structure, fearing that such a monotonous layout would render the life inside monotonous. 

to maintain privacy JMY created custom slits and skylights to provide the space with light 
image © joonhwan yoon

the entrance of the house was moved and a new access road formed. the original road, a mere 3m wide, severely limited what could be done at the site. a backyard with another entrance was formed after the building was moved 2m away from the northern boundary, and established a connection between the backyard and south garden. JMY created a natural connection from the ground to roof by using a circulation method. everything moves from outside to inside and reverse, from inside to outside. all functional spaces are arranged along this circle. a living room between the south garden and northern backyard links the spaces and gives the home transparency. 

the house was moved 2m from the northern boundry to connect front and back yards
image © joonhwan yoon

the interior has an open spatial arrangement. nothing is fixed, and gives the inhabitants flexibility to divide areas as need permits. to keep privacy, windows were not constructed on the outer walls. specifically designed slits and skylights flood daylight into spaces without being visually intrusive. ventilation windows in all four directions help to naturally ventilate the home using wind throughout seasons. 

the home’s open layout leaves plenty of room for change
image © joonhwan yoon

the living room’s high transparency connects the southern garden to the northern yard 
image © joonhwan yoon

JMY created two new entrances to the space, each with road access
image © joonhwan yoon

the ‘seongdong-dong house’ situated in surroundings
image © joonhwan yoon

the three bedroom home is traditionally considered a korean basic unit of dwelling
image © joonhwan yoon

the plot in its entirety is 172m²
image © joonhwan yoon

diagram

elevation and sectional

floor plan

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