studio_GAON: lucias earth incorporates traces left behind

studio_GAON: lucias earth incorporates traces left behind
image @ youngchea park
all images courtesy of studio_GAON

discovered as an abandoned ruin, south korean architects studio_GAON wanted to preserve the house’s history by incorporating traces left behind into the remodeling the new structure. located in the old downtown of gong-ju city, the house was originally built in 1964, the demolishing of its existing elements was a delicate process – the architects carefully decided between what treasures needed to remain and those that could be removed. the wooden veranda that collapsed due to corrosion was reinterpreted as an antique table and a vintage shelf. similarly, other parts of the building were transformed into furniture, such as a closet that featured as a partition is now used as a dish cabinet. the original rusted steel house gate and the rough cement tiles remain in their original position. the house is orientated south to north on a long site, with the entrance initially concealing the rest of the building – by tearing down this wall and putting a window in, the new design allows sun light to filter in and also acts as a main facade. in order to open the interior spaces, the ceiling was removed, exposing the structural rafters and giving the house a more spacious feeling. strongly informed by the idea of contingency and recycling, the design was influenced by the ever-changing and growing natural world, and the site’s surviving flower garden that lived through it all.

exterior view of the remodeled ruin
image @ youngchea park

garden view
image @ youngchea park

interior showing the newly exposed ceiling rafters
image @ youngchea park

interior view looking out towards the garden
image @ youngchea park

interior showing the light filled open entrance-way
image @ youngchea park

the open interior connects to the garden and has a spacious feeling 
image @ youngchea park

interior with garden refelctions
image @ youngchea park

entrance from the street
image @ youngchea park

sketch

sketch scroll

plan

east elevation

west elevation

south + north elevation

longitudinal section

cross section

longitudinal sections

project info:

project team: seongwon son, minjung choi, sangwoo lee, sungpil lee, hanmoe lee
photographs: youngchea park
location: jung-dong, gongju-si, chungchung-do, south korea
program: tea house
site area: 132.2㎡
building area: 35.44㎡
structure: wood frame construction
finish: stucco, wood
supervision: studio_gaon
design period: 2013.3.1 – 2013.6.4
construction period: 2013.6.12 – 2013.8.2

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