ar-architects plans family home around internal courtyards in south korea

‘steel grove’ by ar-architects is a family house situated in the dense urban environment of gimhae-si in south korea. due to the context, the design seeks to provide privacy for the residents, whilst still maintaining a relationship with the neighborhood. the proposal also intends to be a modern translation of traditional korean houses by focusing on the creation of exterior spaces that link back to the indoors.

the south façade, all images © sergio pirrone

as stipulated in the brief, the scheme consists of two parking lots, a garden, a private bathroom and a dressing room for each bedroom. the client is also very interested in gardening, therefore the design by ar-architects incorporates plenty of semi-outdoor green spaces. the building is characterized by the internal courtyards which are designed around the program of the house. these areas have been created with typical korean architecture in mind, as houses were traditionally composed of various external spaces that related back to the internal functions.

the south façade at sunset

upon entering the main door, residents are greeted by an open roofed space that connects to the dining room via an atrium. that atrium also relates to the front garden which is connected by the living room. the front garden can also be enjoyed from the 2nd floor, creating a sense of increased connection throughout the entire building. while most of the courtyards are located inside the house and function within the house, the south façade and the south garden differ as they attempt to relate with the streets outside.

the front garden from the street 

when designing the south-facing elevation, ar-architects were conscious of the busy urban setting and therefore created a façade which provides a greater sense of privacy, whilst still maintaining a relationship with the neighborhood. in order to achieve this contradiction in design, the architect developed the idea of the ‘steel grove’. as it’s name suggests, the ‘steel grove’ employs four different types of stainless steel pipes to create a form that prevents residents being overlooked, but also provides an element of visibility as light permeates through.

the front garden space

the ‘steel grove’ not only solves the functional aspect of the house but also tries to create a new type of relation with the streets of the neighbourhood. when the sun is up, the ‘steel grove’ stands out and acts as the façade. when the sun is down, the lights from the rooms permeates through the ‘steel grove’ generating a different façade from the daytime. this change creates a different environment for the street through times of the day, forming a relationship between the house and the neighbourhood.

living room view to the indoor/outdoor green space

the atrium viewed from the dining space

view from the living room onto the atrium

the east façade

the entrance

aerial view of the dense neighborhood

the location plan showing the site amongst the dense urban environment

south façade detail

project info:

project name: ‘steel grove’

project location: gimhae-si, gyeongsangnam-do, south korea

architecture practice: ar-architects

principle architects: lee joo hyoung, kang shin il

project team: shin gyusung, kim dongwon, lim pilgyun

site area: 343 m2

building area: 272 m2

interior design: mise & louis

structure: reinforced concrete

structural engineer: dan structural engineering

electrical engineer: H&T

design: 07.2016 – 11.2016

completion: 12.2016 – 05.2017

photography: sergio pirrone

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: lynne myers | designboom