Nestled in Wonso-dong, a historic neighborhood in Seoul, the architect’s studio presents a thoughtful blend of tradition and modernity. Wonso-dong, located to the west of the Secret Garden (Biwon) at Changdeokgung Palace, is a culturally rich area historically inhabited by officials who served the royal family of Chosun. As you walk from the Donhwamun Gate, past the hanok houses and small shops, you eventually come upon the former residence of Go Hui-dong, Korea’s first Western-style painter. The neighborhood is transitioning from traditional hanok homes to Western-style structures, creating a unique architectural landscape.
The design of the office reflects this boundary condition by balancing the historical context of the area with modern design sensibilities. The building is located at the boundary where new Western-style constructions meet the older, densely packed hanok district, requiring a sensitive and innovative approach to its architectural form.
Design Concept: A Village of Roofs
The building draws inspiration from the traditional Korean hanok, a style known for its modest scale, natural materials, and gracefully curved roofs. The design concept for the studio was to create a harmonious addition to the neighborhood without disrupting its context. The building is arranged around five distinct roofs, each varying in size, orientation, and curvature, gathered around a central flat roof. This approach is intended to evoke the sense of a small "Wonseo-village"—a collection of individual elements that, together, form a cohesive whole.
The roofs of the studio are designed to echo the traditional hanok eaves, with the curved roofline lifting gently toward the sky. The different shapes and orientations of the roofs allow the building to integrate seamlessly into the irregularly shaped plot while complementing the surrounding architectural fabric.
Architectural Features and Materials
The south-facing façade of the building, which overlooks the steep uphill road, features horizontal concrete slabs extending across the first and second floors. Above, the upward-curving roof mimics the flowing eaves of a hanok, creating a sense of lightness and movement. The roof and slabs are supported by a mix of wood, steel, and concrete, with wooden columns spaced irregularly to enhance the sense of openness and continuity between the interior and exterior.
The building employs a hybrid structural system, combining reinforced concrete, steel, and timber. The basement and lower floors are built with reinforced concrete for durability, while the second floor incorporates a mix of steel and heavy timber columns. The roof is constructed using a timber frame, which provides a light, organic feel that contrasts with the heavier concrete of the lower floors.
On the east side, three gable roofs extend outward like open palms, framing large windows that offer views of Go Hui-dong’s house and the Secret Garden. These windows establish a visual connection with the surrounding landscape, tying the building to its historical and cultural context. Meanwhile, structural walls on the north and west sides provide privacy and limit the number of windows, ensuring the building respects its neighbors and the surrounding environment.
Ultimately, the building represents a dialogue between past and present, tradition and change. It reflects the ways in which contemporary architecture can honor cultural heritage while responding to new social, environmental, and functional demands. In this sense, the building is not just a workspace; it is a physical manifestation of the cultural and architectural diversity that defines Korea’s dynamic built environment.
