On November 19th at 9:55 PM on EBS1 [건축탐구 집 – 오래 살고 싶은 집, 버려도 좋은 집] The episode is broadcast.
After moving to a semi-basement area 23 times, this is a house I want to settle down in for a long time.
Yeongjong Island, Jung-gu, Incheon, where you can always enjoy the blue sea view and the view of airplanes taking off and landing. There is a white house that stands out even from afar. The roof is like an apple with a bite taken out, and the deck space on the first floor is like a yellow cave. The house was said to have attracted curious glances from local residents ever since the frame was erected! Let’s hear the story of Kim Seong-ho and Seo Mi-ran, a couple who built a house with a unique design!
On the other side of the first floor deck space, which looks like a cave or a piece of yellow cheese, there is an impressive entrance with a canopy that looks like a modern sculpture. Unlike the rear, which has a variety of things to see, the front has a neat feel. What kind of space will unfold inside when you enter the entrance, which is embarrassingly close to the driveway?
Since it is adjacent to the road, there seems to be a buffer space, but what welcomes you as soon as you open the front door is, unexpectedly, a kitchen. In the kitchen, where a long, straight sink presents an overwhelming view, there is another overwhelming view: a long folding door installed along the long sink and a long, large window above the upper cabinet. Thanks to this, there is no need to worry about lighting and ventilation in the relatively small kitchen.
It is said that the cave-shaped deck was designed so that the sun shines all day long by carefully calculating the angle of the sun. The reason why so much attention is paid to lighting is because of memories of the semi-basement honeymoon days when the deck suffered from mold.
For the first time in 30 years, husband Seong-ho kept his promise to build ‘a house where the lights do not need to be turned on during the day’ for his wife, who started life as a newlywed taking care of her mother-in-law with dementia and had to move 23 times due to difficult circumstances. The couple said that it felt like a dream and a miracle that the promise they made while drawing a house with colored pencils on an exercise book back then came true. We explore the sunlight-filled home of Kim Seong-ho and Seo Mi-ran, who never have to move again and are brightly lit without having to turn on the lights during the day.
A curved house with a solid environment that is okay even if it is destroyed or collapsed.
Wonju City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. In a village filled with quaint country houses, one building with a grand wooden structure stands out. The identity of this suspicious house, which many people mistake for a gymnasium or community center, is that it was built by a couple of 39-year-olds, Kwon Jun and Noh Hyeon-jeong, who returned to their hometown last year.
Her husband, Jun, who majored in advanced materials engineering and worked as a semiconductor researcher, suffered from health problems, including reaching pre-diabetes due to stress from work. Accordingly, his wife, Hyeonjeong, who is an architect, decided to boldly build a house in the countryside and move back to the countryside for the sake of her husband’s health.
During her early career as an architect, she was shocked to see a large amount of waste at a high-rise building demolition inspection site. Hyeonjeong decided to build a ‘house that could return to nature’ for the environment, and designed a house with a medium-wood structure using domestically produced wood. did it There was the bitterness of having to compromise with reality, such as insulation, but we built the house using eco-friendly materials as much as possible.
The house was built with a plan to grow crops in the yard for health reasons, and this was also actively reflected in the design of the house. Not only did they create a space to trim and dry harvested crops, but it was also because of the crops in the yard that this house became a ‘suspicious curved house.’ It was designed with a round curved structure to intentionally lengthen the movement lines inside and outside the house so that people can observe and experience the crops growing day by day.
We explore the ‘house that can be thrown away’ by a young couple who started out as a house and turned it into a full-fledged environment for their daily lives, including 9kW solar power, walls and doors finished with Korean paper, recycled household water, and handcrafted household items made from natural materials.
Economy Queen Reporter Park Yu-mi Photo = EBS Architectural Exploration House
Interview between Time.news Editor and Architectural Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good evening, everyone! Today, we have a fascinating guest with us, architect Noh Hyeon-jeong, who recently designed a unique home in Wonju City, Gangwon Province. Welcome, Hyeon-jeong!
Noh Hyeon-jeong (NH): Thank you! I’m excited to be here and discuss the project.
TNE: Your latest project is captivating. What inspired you to create such a distinctive design that stands out in a quaint village?
NH: I’m glad you asked! The original inspiration came from the need to create a space that promotes well-being and reflects our personal journey. My husband, Kwon Jun, faced health issues due to the stresses of his previous job. We wanted a home that not only looks good but also supports a healthier lifestyle, encouraging both physical and mental wellness.
TNE: That makes a lot of sense. It’s intriguing how personal life experiences can translate into architecture. Can you tell us more about the materials you used and the significance behind them?
NH: Absolutely! We focused on sustainable materials, which is important for both environmental and health reasons. The wooden structure was chosen not just for its beauty, but because it creates a warm, inviting atmosphere and promotes a sense of tranquility. We wanted a space that feels solid yet flexible—a house that could withstand challenges without losing its charm.
TNE: It seems that you have crafted a home that is both visually appealing and functionally sound. You’ve mentioned that the design process involved you and Jun drawing concepts on exercise books. How did those early sketches influence the final design?
NH: Those sketches were an essential part of our journey. They represented our dreams and aspirations for our future home. Throughout the design process, we continually referenced those early ideas, ensuring that the final result aligned with our original vision of a nurturing and safe environment. Building a house is about creating memories, and those sketches served as a constant reminder of our commitment to each other and our values.
TNE: That’s beautiful! Now, switching gears a little, I also want to touch upon Kim Seong-ho and Seo Mi-ran’s story in Yeongjong Island, which aired on the show “Architectural Exploration” on EBS. How does their story resonate with today’s housing trends and the concept of home?
NH: Their story is quite poignant and aligns with the growing need for homes that prioritize natural light and sustainability. After moving 23 times, they emphasize the importance of creating a permanent space that offers comfort and warmth. Their innovative design, especially with the sunlit deck, illustrates a shift toward homes that are tailored to the inhabitants’ emotional and physical needs.
TNE: It’s remarkable how both you and the couple incorporate elements of personal experience into your designs. Do you think this trend will influence how future homes are built?
NH: Definitely! As people seek meaningful connections with their living spaces, I believe architects will increasingly focus on customizing designs to reflect personal stories and experiences. This holistic approach to architecture considers not just the aesthetics but also the emotional and psychological aspects of home living.
TNE: Thank you, Hyeon-jeong. Your insights into the intersection of architecture, well-being, and personal history are truly inspiring. It seems that homes of the future will not just be places to live but reflections of who we are.
NH: Thank you! I hope to see more architects embracing this approach, creating spaces that nurture our lives and well-being.
TNE: Thank you for joining us today, and thank you to our audience for tuning in. We look forward to more conversations on how architecture continues to evolve alongside our needs!