The hanok hostel 'Yerindang' is located in an alley in Chebu-dong, which is full of cars going to and from Seochon main street and people enjoying the alley. The atmosphere of the alley is very different from the one just twenty steps away. Noisy street corners, irregularly arranged hanoks, and friendly neighbors. During the course of the project, we went through two seasons and various episodes where we were able to feel the invisible warmth of Korean 'jung' (affection or heart) from our neighbors and be inspired by it.
We wanted to give a small gift to this warm and friendly alley. The street where the building is located is rather dark and in the middle of a long alley. So, there are frequent encounters with people coming and going. With this in mind, we adopted the exhibition concept of a museum for the facade of the hanok. The signboard is displayed in the display case on the front of the building, and objects such as antiques are also placed in the display case on the other side. The gaze is naturally drawn to the space as one travels by, giving it a role as a medium of communication between the building and its neighborhood.
The light from the display case also acts as a streetlight to illuminate the dark alley at night. The design is understated enough to emphasize the coziness of a stay where relaxation is important. We chose an off-white base with darker wood finishes (stain, veneer and parquet) and a consistent color scheme to emphasize minimalism and restraint. Windows of different sizes are placed in different locations so that you can enjoy the view without having to turn your head, whether you are sitting or lying down.
In the sarangchae (reception room), we placed built-in furniture in a form inspired by the simple and large floor of a hanok, which can be used as a sofa or a bed. The cushion shape of the daybed is inspired by the rafters placed side by side on the roof tiles of the hanok to create a sense of familiarity with the language of the hanok. The Jacuzzi in the outbuilding has a window that can be opened to create a space where you can enjoy a spa experience, sometimes indoors and sometimes outdoors, fully appreciating the beauty of the four seasons.
Team:
Architect: EVBR
Photography: Yongjoon Choi
Material Used:
1. Facade cladding: Stucco
2. Flooring: wood flooring
3. Doors: solid wood
4. Windows: solid wood system
5. Roofing: Koreanroof tile
6. Interior lighting: indirect lighting
7. Interior furniture: veneer sheet / solid wood
