Gaonjae by IROJE KHM Architects

ByJon Dykstra Houses

The house's appearance outside is taken.

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Architect: HyoMan Kim – IROJE KHM Architects
Photographer: Sergio Pirrone, Jong Oh Kim, Jeong Sik Mun
Design team: Kyung Jin-Jung, SeungHee-Song, SuKyung-Jang, JiYeon-Kim, EunJin-Sin, HyeJin-Kim, WooSin-Sim
Contractor: JEHYO
Location: Bundang-gu, Sungnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
U S E: Residence
Site area: 643.5 ㎡
Bldg. area: 319.96 ㎡
Gross floor area: 329.35 ㎡
Structure: Concrete rahmen
Exterior finishing: Black zinc plate, white stucco, exposed concrete
Interior finishing: Lacquer, Wood flooring, perforated steel plate

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About Studio

While firmly adhering to the legitimacy and purity of architecture, we are trying to recover the identity of Korean urban architectural culture in this era where blind westernization is being handed down. To this end, it is our goal to establish an independent and unique Korean architectural city cultural identity that is distinguished from foreign cultures by simultaneously exploring and studying the traditional Korean characteristics of the past and the modern Korean characteristics of this era and the future. We want to place the meaning of our work in practicing the existence of Korean architectural culture.

The roof of the home is visible in the top view of the building.
The roof of the home is visible in the top view of the building.
The various types of flora that surround the house give it a natural atmosphere.
The various types of flora that surround the house give it a natural atmosphere.
Entry through the patio tunnel from the front road to the main gate entrance yard.
Entry through the patio tunnel from the front road to the main gate entrance yard.
The structures at the entrance are made of matched cement, wood, and stone.
The structures at the entrance are made of matched cement, wood, and stone.
Wooden floors, white-painted ceilings and walls, and glass walls make up the interior's simple design, which fits nicely as you move around.
Wooden floors, white-painted ceilings and walls, and glass walls make up the interior’s simple design, which fits nicely as you move around.
Applying and replacing the spatial and formative qualities of conventional architecture to address the general issues with selecting design components.
Applying and replacing the spatial and formative qualities of conventional architecture to address the general issues with selecting design components.
Due to the glass walls, the living area is spacious and bright.
Due to the glass walls, the living area is spacious and bright.
Due to the interior's all-white color scheme, the dining area's oak floor has bright features.
Due to the interior’s all-white color scheme, the dining area’s oak floor has bright features.
The entire kitchen space is white, from the ceiling down to the appliances.
The entire kitchen space is white, from the ceiling down to the appliances.
It was anticipated that modern architecture would just be built without any effort on the part of society.
It was anticipated that modern architecture would just be built without any effort on the part of society.
With a spatial story, it is possible to utilize a touring and penetrative program, and the workplace can function as a "pavilion" space with an extension.
With a spatial story, it is possible to utilize a touring and penetrative program, and the workplace can function as a “pavilion” space with an extension.
Deep eaves with a three-dimensional negative curved surface were first used to both adapt to the country's harsh climate and transmit important cultural traditions.
Deep eaves with a three-dimensional negative curved surface were first used to both adapt to the country’s harsh climate and transmit important cultural traditions.
The bathroom has distinct characteristics, including a white design.
The bathroom has distinct characteristics, including a white design.

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A "courtyard" incorporating natural scenery was introduced, with an introverted spatial organization, the construction of an ecological habitat, and the maximizing of land area efficiency.
A “courtyard” incorporating natural scenery was introduced, with an introverted spatial organization, the construction of an ecological habitat, and the maximizing of land area efficiency.
By handing down the metaphorical form of the old Korean stone wall, the pattern of the concrete wall's elliptical imperfections functions as a component that recalls the past through morphological memory.
By handing down the metaphorical form of the old Korean stone wall, the pattern of the concrete wall’s elliptical imperfections functions as a component that recalls the past through morphological memory.
Each internal area and the courtyards on two distinct levels intersect and grow with the skip floor system, adjusting to the topography and going to a new level.
Each internal area and the courtyards on two distinct levels intersect and grow with the skip floor system, adjusting to the topography and going to a new level.
It adopted an attitude of adapting to nature by guiding various spatial programs, one of the contextual characteristics of traditional architecture.
It adopted an attitude of adapting to nature by guiding various spatial programs, one of the contextual characteristics of traditional architecture.

About 20 years ago, the government held “the housing expo” in GangNam and constructed this “expo town” of low-rise residences, and every site in this town was designed by selected architects who had been famous in Korea at that time. The site of “GaOnJai” was one of this monumental town, but the owner of this house who purchased the house of this site has been built, newly, after tearing down the old house of this site.

To maximize the efficiency of land use, to be ecological spaces were important requirements, because the owner thought the exterior spaces of the demolished old houses were narrow and useless, and circumstance of inner spaces were dark and blue. To keep privacy and security, to block noise, smoke, and other’s eye, an introverted layout of this house was required.

The living room which has a dynamic, picturesque view of the landscape near the mountain had been required. The house which has its own Identity in Korean culture has been required because I think this town is the representative town of desirable planned residences in Korea.

By introducing “Madang” which is the Korean inner court, we have solved the requirement of introverted space, ecological environment, and useful outdoor space and have got nature which has a healthy, live environment and landscape. By introducing “Ru” which is Korean-piloted architecture, we absorbed the dynamic and picturesque landscape of the near mountain, according to turn the axis of mass of the living room to the top of the surrounding mountain.

The void space under “Ru” is the beginning of the approach part of a dramatic sequence of strolling course in spaces of this house, like a cave. By introducing the curved “Cheoma” which is the cantilevered roof of Korea for the floating roof of this house, we got, not only the resistance to rough weather conditions but also, revive the traditional language of architecture in the translated language in modern.

By introducing an oval patterned concrete wall which was derived from the traditional stone wall, we expected it would be a reminder of the past. By adopting the topography of the existing site, lower Madang, and higher Madang, various skip-floored inner spaces were designed at different levels each other and they produced interesting routes of stroll in every place of this house. This natural adaptation to nature has been the basic character of the Korean culture of architecture.

All the programs of spaces of this house were laid out as they touring course that has the dramatic interest of “strolling” through the inside and outside of this house, visually and spatially. Thereby we expect the living in this house will not be tired for a long time by giving enjoy of strolling in their own world.

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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