atelier chang folds angular forms for knot house in south korea

atelier chang folds angular forms for knot house in south korea
photo © kyungsub shin
all images courtesy of atelier chang

located along a cliff edge on south korea’s geoje island, ‘knot house’ is comprised of five detached dwellings composed of angular concrete wall and roof planes. designed by london-based atelier chang, the scheme’s folded arrangement creates intimate spaces and individualized ocean views for each of the houses. the complex was developed by the hospitality group ‘house of mind’, and serves as vacation residences for the owner and guests.

‘knot house’ is made of five detached dwellings located on a narrow cliff-side site
photo © kyungsub shin

due to the site’s narrow nature, each dwelling is angled 40 degrees in relation to the shoreline, to allow for staggered views and increased privacy. the strategy also results in a more-dynamic composition created by the five structures. while closed off on their entry side, each of the residences features large glass curtain walls toward the ocean. additionally, a grove of pine trees line the cliff edge to filter panoramas of the water.

the structures contain a consistent folded vocabulary, made of white-painted concrete
photo © kyungsub shin

the highest structure is the complex’s clubhouse as well as the owner’s residence. it is comprised of two stories, and features a pool with an ‘infinity’ edge toward the ocean to visually merge the water elements. the following four dwellings host six guest rooms and are made of one ground-level floor.

the houses feature large glass walls toward the ocean
photo © kyungsub shin

(left): the dwellings contain wood-surfaced baths, with views toward the ocean
(right): the clubhouse’s entry is tucked underneath a folding roof form
photos © kyungsub shin

the lower four residences are comprised of six guest rooms
photo © kyungsub shin

photo © kyungsub shin

the highest dwelling is the owner’s residence, and features a wide patio and pool
photo © kyungsub shin

building planes protrude from the mass to increase privacy of the interior spaces
photo © kyungsub shin

photo © kyungsub shin

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project info:

location: geoje island, south korea
use: vacation house / pension (future residential), residential & restaurant
design period: 03.2012 – 10.2013
construction period: 09.2013 – 01.2014
site area: 1,722 sqm
built area: 403 sqm
site coverage: 23.40%
FAR: 25.21%
height: 7.3m max height above GL
parking: outdoor parking, 8 spaces, 100 sqm
structure: reinforced concrete
exterior finish: exposed concrete with white paint
interior finish: gypsum board and timber boards
budget: 890,000,000 KRW
client: HOM (house of mind)
design team: atelier chang ltd / soohyun chang, federica russo, ryan day, hyunwoo chung
local architect: K20art architects
contractor: HOM (house of mind)
structural design: thekujo
photography: kyungsub shin