<Yosanyosu> (a house to enjoy large mountains and clear water)

Lately, we realize regular folks in Korea are becoming more aware of the essential value of house as a family haven, than the economic value as a real estate. Some go out suburb to live close to nature, while some find superb solution in downtown near where they work.

Pyeongchang-dong has two hills facing each other across a street that almost feels like a canyon. While the western side lies on Mt. Bukhansan and has large and luxurious houses, the eastern hills, which are leaning against Mt. Bukaksan and Mt. Inwangsan, have smaller and older houses in every nook and corner.

A young couple came to us to build a house in the neighborhood. They started their newly-married life in a single house in Pyeongchang-dong, and have spent a long time to find a proper site.

The site was on the eastern side of the Pyeong-chang dong. It was in the very inside of the steep region where the design and age of the housings are uneven. It also had a lovely view. The majestic figure of Mt. Bukhansan was partly cut off by the medium-size houses in between. On the site, the remains of the house that had been destroyed and weeds completely covered the ground, making it impossible to see the bare land.

Because of the steep slope and seemingly difficult appearance, nobody wanted to build anything on the site. After looking at the land, we began designing; listening to stories about the houses they wanted to live in.

The program was simple. They wanted an independent room on the second floor, and wanted their bedroom somewhat moderately separate from the common use space. Also, they had several requirements including a niche space to take care of their three cats and one dog, and a small pool to swim. The opening and closing views toward outside was so clear so the direction of design approach became quite obvious.

The mass of the house was bent in L shape to insert the pool and courtyard and also made a little garden. The staircase is located in front of the entrance, and the independent kitchen came before the living room opened toward three sides. The master bedroom is at the end of the long corridor that opens to the backyard with various views. And the master bedroom is directly connected to the pool; the Mt. Bukhansan mountain is reflected on the water and the reflection is echoed back onto the interior ceiling of the room.

The design went along smoothly, but due to some rearrangement of the surroundings, weak-minded builder’s slack completion, and ungrounded postponement of administrative procedure delayed the project. But the ‘young and solid client’ surprised us by not complaining about the tie-up and showed no signs of shaking.

Where there’s a beginning, there’s an end. The agony of the process vanishes like scribbles on the ground, and now the architecture remains to be enjoyed.

At the end of completion, phone rang and they wanted to name the house <Yosanyosu>, which means a house to enjoy large mountains and clear water. Goodness, why not?