Seongbuk-dong, located along Seongbuk-ro, still retains traces of old houses scattered throughout the area. Historically, the homes of writers and notable figures once lined the former Seongbukcheon stream. Although many of them have disappeared, leaving only their sites behind, a few still remain. I often think that in the dense metropolis of Seoul, there may be few places like this—where the city maintains a relaxed, slow pace, partially filled yet comfortably open.

Shortly after moving our office to the neighborhood, a client visited us regarding a site located just a short walk away—one we frequently passed during lunchtime. The site was occupied by a building originally constructed as a basement-plus-two-story house on a sloped terrain, later converted into a neighborhood living facility.

Because we were already familiar with the site, we welcomed the project. Yet at the same time, we hesitated briefly due to potential risks and complaints that could arise during construction. The concern stemmed from the building’s structural safety, as it sat atop a stone retaining wall on sloping ground.

Given its location—highly visible to anyone traveling along Seongbuk-ro—the façade and material expression were of utmost importance. Despite being a rental commercial building, it needed a strong presence and an attractive texture that could overcome strict legal constraints.

The topography of Seongbuk-dong posed its own challenges. As it extends from the foothills of Bugaksan, the ground is mostly bedrock, making the construction of subterranean levels particularly difficult. However, the ability to enter the building directly from the road was the site’s greatest advantage—and one we could not give up. We sought to portray a form carved out of a massive rock emerging from the ground, vertically articulating the surface texture through exposed concrete.

To the north, the adjacent site sits higher than ours, subjecting the building to height restrictions from the strict north-facing sunlight regulation. We applied the resulting invisible setback condition in a way that would still be perceivable from the front street: from the third floor upward, each level steps forward progressively, giving the façade facing the road a sense of tension and dynamism.

A small, hidden design element—my personal way of resolving a lingering sense of regret—also found its way into the project. Before redevelopment, a handmade burger shop called Nyam Nyam Burger operated in the previous building. I often visited, sometimes bringing a burger home after work. Knowing that the shop would not return after reconstruction, I wanted to preserve a quiet memory of it. I incorporated the image of stacked burger buns into the building’s form. I never mentioned this to the client; I simply described it as softening the building’s corners to extend the front elevation naturally toward the side.

Despite the challenging conditions and the many stories that arose during construction, the project was completed safely, and the client is very satisfied. Since first meeting in December 2020 and receiving occupancy approval in the spring of 2025, the project has grown to hold special meaning for me. I hope the owner and future users will feel the same affection and pride in this building.