CoRe architects adds vertical extension to traditional korean house in seoul

the project preserves the existing hanok as much as possible while it creates a contrast between old and new, adding 50% more area.

CoRearchitects edited by shuhei senda June 28, 2016 2 min

CoRe architects adds vertical extension to traditional korean house in seoul
(above) the contemporary design of the extension above the hanok
image © yongkwan kim & jungsik moon

architecture in korea: located in sinseol-dong, a neighborhood in seoul, this hanok has been upgraded by CoRe architects with the addition of a vertical extension. the contemporary wing resulted from the difficulty of extending the traditional wooden structure, making it weaker while the team was doing the remodeling. in order not to get in the way of the hanok, a steel frame was adapted to, making the new volume float above the previous house. this assured the hanok could be preserved as much as possible.

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existing hanok before setting the project

the project by CoRe architects repaired the old hanok and reinforced it with a new volume, achieving the coexistence of these two structures. the resulting shape of the new extension is in balance with the traditional architecture, respecting it. the seven steel-columns on the ground separate it from the hanok. the cantilevered structure uses both horizontal and inclined beams, that creates a tension between the old and new. the building houses both offices and a book cafe, and its all complemented by an indoor patio that resulted from the intervention.

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inside the hanok, the traditional wooden structure remained as well as the roof

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book cafe on the ground floor plan

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a patio was generated in front of the book cafe

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the extension building in contrast with the existing hanok

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the steel frame structure makes the new volume float above the hanok

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perspective view from the front road

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the empty space between the floating volume and the existing hanok

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exploded diagram

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floor plan

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longitudinal section

project information:

architects: core architects (zongxoo u, vin kim, youngrae choi, aran cho, heera kang)
location: 96-36, sinseol-dong, dongdaemun-gu, seoul, korea
project: commercial facilities
area: 99.9㎡
total floor area: 149.41㎡
building-to-land ratio: 66.69%
floor area ratio: 99.74%
stories: 2 stories (existing one-story)
structure: korean traditional wooden structure + steel framework
constructor: jehyo
client: taejin international.
photographs: yongkwan kim

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