D.LIM architects blends a burnt orange tourist center into a korean mountainside

D.LIM architects has realized a small public building amid the mountains of gyeongsangnam-do in south korea. at just 753.5 ft2 (70 m2), the box-shaped ‘wellness center’ provides both an exhibition center for tourists and a resting space for walkers visiting odo mountain. 

images by jun-hwan yoon

the building is centered evenly around a narrow site, creating two simple but functional paths on either side. the rectilinear volume is punctured by a lightwell and the side elevation extends out to a terrace, which both function to bring natural light and nature inside. the small exhibition area shows a promotional video for the surrounding county and is therefore dimly lit. on the other hand, the ‘healing house’ that serves as a resting place for hikers is illuminated by the view of the nearby creek.

the exterior of the building is covered by forty metal panels, which each measure 43ft (4m) tall and 10.8ft (1m) wide. the materials chosen by D.LIM architects are as simple as the shape of the architecture. the metal was selected as it will change over time to blend into the natural surroundings. it first began as black before turning bright orange, until finally settling into burnt orange. as the surrounding odo mountain passes through each season, the building too will evolve.

project info:

project name: wellness welcome center
program: tourist facilities
location: san 150, apgok-ri, bongsan-myeon, hapcheon-gun, gyeongsangnam-do, south korea
client: hapcheon-gun
architecture firm: D.LIM architects
architects: yeonghwan lim, sunhyun kim
design team: ji-sun hur, junho choi
site area: 4,284 ft2 (398 m2)
building area: 753.5 ft2 (70 m2)
gross floor area: 753.5 ft2 (70 m2)
building scope: 1 story
building to land ratio: 17.54%
floor area ratio: 17.54%
structure: reinforced concrete structure
height: 13.78 ft (4.2 m)
exterior finishing: thk2.3 weatherproof steel plate, exposed mass concrete, thk24 low iron transparent glass
mechanical engineering: hana consulting engineers co.ltd
electrical engineering: hana consulting engineers co.ltd
construction: shinwon construction
design period: may 2018 – august 2018
construction period: march 2019 – june 2019
photograph by: jun-hwan yoon

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edited by: lynne myers | designboom