BCHO architects: heyri theater and hotel

‘heyri theater’ by BCHO architects,paju, gyeonggi province, south koreaimage © wooseop hwangall images courtesy of BCHO architects

in the thriving creative microcosm that is the heyri art valley in korea, local practice BCHO architects has shared with us images of their theater and hotel. not like a typical theater, the concrete structure is carefully designed to offer the necessary flexible performance space whether it be for smaller more inexperienced acts or seasoned professional performers, at the same time provide visitors with comfortable overnight stay in the thriving artistic village. the main performance hall is located at the heart of the structure – an open-plan room that can be viewed from a catwalk overhead, a balcony, or one of the stepped protruding concrete VIP boxes. the mechanical room is located at the lowest underground level for optimal acoustic and thermal insulation. adjacent to the sunken theater space, separated by an outdoor courtyard, a linear cafe serves visitors and guests with a large window framing the pine trees behind. both courtyard and cafe are also located above the private subterranean parking garage.

the boutique hotel is situated above the theater space and is characterized externally by four rectilinear ceramic ribbons that give guests a certain amount of privacy and on the top floor frame exterior balconies with built-in hot tubs. the decks give access to ventilation and natural light as well as a contemplative space for guests to enjoy the surrounding nature. supported on a light-weight steel substructure, the ceramic panels are used to give a sense of scale from the exterior as well as differentiate the multi-use theater space from the hotel.

VIP boxes step down along the performance spaceimage © wooseop hwang