farming architecture offers new alternative to monotonous living spaces in korea

‘poly house’ was built for a couple with elementary school-age children in the kyunggi province of south korea. like all families today, they spend a considerable amount of their time away from home, at school or at work. nonetheless, their living space forms a stage where everyday life patterns are repeated, and this everyday life is an inseparable, organic whole. when designing a residence, sharing time and space and respecting privacy are contradictory yet essential rules. 

main entrance of the ‘poly house’

korean based farming architecture proposes an answer to the issue of how a fixed architectural structure can respond to the patterns and desires of the occupants’ constantly changing lives. it is a process that shows a new interpretation of the functions and aesthetics of the ideal house. the project has ‘gaps’ between personal and family space. these gaps are margins between individuals and between spaces, connecting living space and the lives of the occupants. these ‘gaps’ allow users to experience an intimate living space. it is not only a space of experience through which sight lines and wind pass by, but it means a psychological distance between members of the family. ‘poly house’ can be entirely divided into a service space, family space, and a personal space.

ambivalent spaces where interior meets exterior

the lives of the occupants and the relationships between family members permeate these individual spaces as they are. the living room, kitchen, utility room, bathroom, and inner courtyard form the family space, while the open corridor is the linear core that connects with other spaces of the house. the upper area consists of the private space, where the parents’ bedroom and the children’s area are placed independently of each other, ensuring privacy. ambivalent spaces such as the decks and open areas maintain psychological privacy, offering various uses and views. the inner courtyard besides adding contact with the earth, provides ventilation and natural lighting. the outer stairs is a three dimensional link between the building, site and rooftop area.

light and air flow unimpeded in the interior

from the outside, the ‘poly house’ is a solid and square mass, but on the inside it consists of various layers, openings and circulations. natural light and ventilation flow unimpeded, while the porous architecture, with flexible boundaries, offers a new alternative to the monotonous apartments and other living areas. the environment and lives are projected into all areas, so that the house will accumulate neat layers of people and scenery like a frame.

the corridor is the linear core that connects all areas of the house

entrance to one of the decks and rooftop area

spiral staircase in the backyard

the complex site includes a sloping land with maximum height difference of six meters

second floor plan

third floor plan

section

                       
axonometric section

sectional perspective

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom