modular housing in south korea explores flexible living in minimum spaces

residents can customize and modify the modules according to their needs using a cartridge sliding system.

Studio SMA edited by christina vergopoulou December 29, 2022 4 min

housing modules assemble Flexible Living units in south Korea

Studio SMA proposes the design of a modular residential complex in South Korea developing a flexible and customizable living layout. The modular housing industry is invigorated by governmental support, and the academic research involving this industry predominantly focuses on constructability and technical improvement. Since the primary focus is on economic efficiency, the quality of living is a secondary issue. Under these circumstances, this project aims to enhance the spatial quality of a modular house intended for one to two persons by developing a flexible system for homeowners to rearrange and reorganize their homes accordingly. The design investigates a new type of house unit that is structured by basic prefabricated modules assembled in situ.

Two types of residence are provided, one for single-person use, and one for two or three people, according to the minimum size suggested by the 2020 Korean Government Residential Masterplan. Since the traffic laws restrict the size of transportable modular units, a 3.3 m by 6.6 m module became the basic size. After in situ concrete works are finished, prefabricated modules are delivered and assembled for a short period of time.

a sliding cartridge system allows easy modification of the units

A flexible customizable cartridge system is proposed by the design team to support various ways of living within the limited space, instead of providing fixed spatial conditions as conventional modular houses. The flexible program allows residents to choose and order various cartridges as necessary, as well as to customize, detach, update, expand or compress the interior space using a sliding system. As diverse activities need to be accommodated in the private domain since COVID-19, the project explores multiple living layouts within a minimum space.

Community program units such as a gym, a library, and a communal kitchen, as well as corridor units, balconies, landscape elements at the roof level, and facade systems are, also, designed by module and pre-manufactured in the factory. Accordingly, the whole process expedites the construction schedule. The modular housing project opts for the alleviation of the serious housing supply issue in South Korea.

flexible-living-designboom-1800-2 — diverse types of modules can be assembled according to the homeowners’ needs

modular housing — plan perspective of 18 sqm unit – the physical limitation of the unit led to a flexible expandable furniture system

flexible-living-designboom-1800-3 — the residential units face the main facade, while the diverse community programs are located at the rest sides

modular housing in south korea explores flexible living in minimum spaces - 1 — typical floor plan

modular housing in south korea explores flexible living in minimum spaces - 2 — section perspective

modular housing in south korea explores flexible living in minimum spaces - 3 — exhibition display with physical models

modular housing in south korea explores flexible living in minimum spaces - 4 — detail of the physical model

project info:

name: Flexible Living
designer: Studio SMA – SeungBum Ma

design team: Yejee Gong, Yejin Kim

physical model: Jiyeon Kim, Youngmin Ryou

photography: SeungBum Ma, Euijung Sung

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.