Architect: stpmj
Location: Icheon, Kyunggi, Korea
Program: Multi-Family Residential
Site Area: 975 sm
Gross Area: 208.7 sm
Structural Engineering: Centum Engineering
Construction: ON Architecture
Client: Private
Completed Year: 2017 / Jun.
Photograph: Song Yousub
Concrete Pigment: Wooshin
Window: Inoutic
Floor: Eagon

This is an exterior look at the house that has a striped look to its exterior walls complemented by the small windows that glow.

This is a close look at the landscaping of the house that is also striped with a wooden layer, a graveled layer and a grass lawn layer.

This is a close look at the striped exterior wall of the house and how it is complemented by the wooden walkway.

This s a close look at the striped exterior wall of the house that gives it a unique textured look.

This is a close look at the exterior wall of the second level with an exterior wall-mounted lighting.

This is a close look at the main entrance of the house with a raised wooden platform walkway and a frosted glass main door.

This is a close look at the glass door of the kitchen that leads to a wooden walkway outside.

This is the living room area that has a hardwood flooring, white walls and a large glass wall that looks out at the landscape outside.

The living room is just a few steps away from the staircase that has wooden steps that blend with the floor.

The bright beige walls and ceiling of the living room are brightened and augmented by the natural lights coming in from the glass walls.

This is a look down the stairs that is lit with natural lighting from the transom window above.

This is a look at the garden that complements the industrial-style striped exterior walls.

This is a nighttime view of the east elevation of the house showcasing the large glass wall that throws warm light from the interior lights.

This is an aerial view of the property on the north-east side of the house showcasing the gray concrete tone of the exteriors that stand out against the green landscape.

This is an aerial view of the house showcasing the lush landscape that surrounds it.

This is an illustrative representation of the diagram shortened.

This is an illustrative representation of the concrete cast schedule.

This is a 3D representation of the concrete cast samples.

This is an illustrative representation of the site plan.

This is an illustrative representation of the first level floor plan.

This is an illustrative representation of the second level floor plan.

This is an illustrative representation of the section A of the house.

This is an illustrative representation of the section B of the house.

This is a 3D representation of the insulation model of the house.

Stratum House seeks a new way of concrete casting method simulating a geologic formation. Concrete works in a combination of cement, water, and aggregate. Cement is mixed with water to form a paste, and its properties are strengthened together with aggregates. These pastes wrap and fill aggregates of various sizes and become hardened. The project started with a curiosity of concrete composition, its casting process, and reaction to the results from testing the changes of its constituents.

Three constraints are applied; water-cement ratio, use of diverse aggregates, and different amount of pigment. The change of concrete shape according to the slump value is the first. When the water ratio is increased, the slump value is increased. The concrete forms a shape close to the horizontal. In the other case, the slump value is reduced and the mound is formed with a mass. The second is the variety of texture on the exposed concrete surface depending on the ratio of fine to coarse aggregate.

The last is the color changes of the surface. With the combinations of these three variables; shape, texture, and color, the concrete of each different quality is cast on-site every day. It allows having delicately designed divisions of stacked concrete layers showing time differences. Stratum House consists of two separate buildings for three families. Two houses sit perpendicular to share a front and back yard for social gardens and dining.

Unit plans are small yet functionally figured. Living rooms are placed towards the South and East for sun exposure and maximized view. Kitchens and rooms are connected to the living room with a stair. On the second floor, two buildings have individual terraces for private family activities. The buildings’ outdoor spaces on each level create a dialogue among sequences penetrating inside and outside of the building into nature.