brick, concrete and stainless steel compose layered facade of renovated café in korea

the interior spaces feature red cedar louvers reminiscent of the 80s, along with the existing concrete structure left exposed.

sukchulmok edited by sofia lekka angelopoulou December 5, 2023 3 min

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Sukchulmok breathes new life into a 1983 Structure in Seoul

Sukchulmok Studio transforms a pre-existing structure from 1983 incorporating a contemporary touch to the building residing in Seoul, Korea. The two-story building, standing at eight meters in height, is distinctively divided into one floor with a concrete structure and two floors with a brick structure. The initial impression of the building revealed signs of aging or technical issues, such as slightly tilted concrete railings and damaged walls, with rainwater pipes facing functionality challenges.

To address the aging and unstable aspects while unifying them into a cohesive concept, a vertical connection is established using stainless steel, creating a gesture that organically links the jagged structure. A 500mm diameter cylinder, applied vertically, serves both a structural reinforcement function and a covering for rainwater pipes, seamlessly integrating with the existing texture. Discolored bricks, redwood, and stainless steel are chosen as finishing materials to blend harmoniously with the original traces.

brick, concrete and stainless steel compose layered facade of renovated café in korea - 1 — stainless steel plates complement old walls or cover rainwater pipes | all images by Hong Seokgyu

renovation Unveils the Layers of Time imprinted on the structure

On the second floor, where bricks were filled at different times, subtle variations in brick patterns echo the passage of time. The interior spaces of the first and second floors feature red cedar louvers reminiscent of the 80s, common in living rooms during that era, with the existing concrete structure left exposed. Despite employing a rough texture, the design aims for sophistication to evoke a sense of harmony, steering clear of a chaotic ambiance. The design team at Sukchulmok adorns this layered space, evolving over time, with furniture crafted on-site. The client, offering professional baking and freshly roasted coffee, welcomes visitors to enjoy delightful pies and drinks in this uniquely crafted environment.

brick, concrete and stainless steel compose layered facade of renovated café in korea - 2 — stainless steel cylinders organically link the jagged structure in the vertical axis

brick, concrete and stainless steel compose layered facade of renovated café in korea - 3 — sukchulmok renovates a two-story house built with concrete and brick structures

brick, concrete and stainless steel compose layered facade of renovated café in korea - 4 — beyond the polycarbonate, the brick texture is subtly visible

8323-layers-of-space-renovation-korea-sukchulmok-designboom-1800-2 — the main countertop combines wood and concrete casting

brick, concrete and stainless steel compose layered facade of renovated café in korea - 5 — the redwood finish balances out the rough textures of the space

brick, concrete and stainless steel compose layered facade of renovated café in korea - 6 — on the first floor, the central table cast in concrete serves as a bread shelf

brick, concrete and stainless steel compose layered facade of renovated café in korea - 7 — the layered space, evolving over time, is adorned with furniture crafted on-site

8323-layers-of-space-renovation-korea-sukchulmok-designboom-1800-1 — the interior spaces of the first and second floors feature red cedar and exposed concrete

bricks, redwood, and stainless steel are chosen as finishing materials to blend with the original traces on the second floor, subtle variations in brick patterns echo the passage of time various types of tables, benches, and stand lighting are made of iron

project info:

name: 8323. Layers of Space
architect: sukchulmok | @sukchulmok

lead architect: Park Hyunhee

location: Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea

photography: Hong Seokgyu | @seokgyuhong

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