three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea

light and shadow continuously transform the perception of the structure throughout the day.

SML edited by christina vergopoulou February 21, 2025 4 min

layered concrete volumes shape Birye Church

Birye Church, designed by SML, is composed of three stacked concrete slabs supported by structural walls and columns. The building integrates an education hall on the ground floor, a chapel on the second floor, and the pastor’s private residence on the third floor. Each level engages with the surroundings through varying degrees of openness and enclosure. The horizontally segmented concrete volumes align with the landscape of mountain ridges and rice fields, while shifting light and shadows influence the perception of the structure throughout the day.

The church is located in a valley surrounded by Jibongsan Mountain, Korea, where farmland extends to the east and south. The site includes an existing red brick church and a newer concrete structure. A concrete wall marks the entrance, creating a transition from the exterior into the church’s courtyard. A concrete eave extends over the entryway, establishing a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The building’s vertical massing is balanced by tall windows that visually link the three levels.

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 1 — all images by Namsun Lee

SML ensures Functional Zoning and Spatial Continuity

The design team at SML arranges interior spaces according to their functions. The first floor serves as a multipurpose area for religious activities, education, and gatherings. It includes the pastor’s office, youth room, dining hall, and a small chapel. A glass-walled corridor connects interior spaces with the courtyard, enhancing visual continuity. The second floor houses the main chapel, where the exposed concrete ceiling references the gable roof of the older church. Wood-tone sound-absorbing panels line the walls, contributing to the acoustics. A veranda on the east side provides panoramic views, bringing in natural light and establishing a seasonal connection between the interior and landscape. The third floor contains the pastor’s private residence, designed as a secluded living space. A large south-facing window frames views of the surrounding environment, integrating the architecture with the distant and immediate landscape. The structure’s concrete roof and overall material composition reinforce a cohesive relationship between the building and its natural setting.

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 2 — Birye Church features three stacked concrete slabs, creating a layered architectural composition

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 3 — structural walls and columns support the building’s segmented concrete volumes

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 4 — varying degrees of openness connect the church’s spaces to the surrounding landscape

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 5 — the design integrates an education hall, chapel, and private residence across three levels

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 6 — the church sits within a valley, surrounded by farmland stretching to the east and south

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 7 — a concrete eave extends over the entryway, merging interior and exterior spaces

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 8 — light and shadow continuously transform the perception of the structure throughout the day

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 9 — tall windows visually link the three levels, balancing the vertical massing of the structure

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 10 — a glass-walled corridor enhances visual continuity between interior spaces and the courtyard

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 11 — wood-tone sound-absorbing panels contribute to the chapel’s acoustics and atmosphere

birye-church-sml-korea-design boom-1800-2 — the building’s concrete roof integrates with the natural environment

three stacked concrete slabs outline birye church by SML in korea - 12 — the building aligns with the contours of Jibongsan Mountain and adjacent rice fields

birye-church-sml-korea-design boom-1800-3 — material choices reinforce the relationship between the church and its setting

project info:

name: Birye Church
architects: SML | @sml._.official

lead architects: SeungMo Lim

design team: Kim Jiyoon l

land area: 1,137 sqm

building area: 302.6 sqm

total floor area: 664.57 sqm

location: 127-2, Birye-ri, Chubu-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea

photographer: Namsun Lee

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