starwars house by moon hoon lands on suburban korean site

starwars house by moon hoon lands on suburban korean site
photo by namgoong sun
all images courtesy of moonbalsso

korean architect moon hoon has recently completed the ‘starwars house’, which loosely references the classic sci-fi series through its overall form, façade articulation, and generally playful spaces. the irregular volume sits among a large grassy site, and has a small building footprint, inclined walls, and a wood deck wrapping two sides. the layout packs two dense levels on the ground and first floors, while the upper story contains an open play room for the family’s children. horizontally-banded windows open up the structure’s eastern corner, while a central atrium provides daylight throughout the interior spaces.

horizontally-banded windows open up the house’s eastern corner
photo by namgoong sun

with a desire to have more space and are residential garden, the clients are representative of a current movement in korea, in which young families are moving from the predominant apartment-dwelling population to detached homes. the ‘starwars house’ delivers on the clients’ needs, by providing open play area for the children and also responding to the husband’s childhood dream of becoming an astronaut.

the upper level includes a short slide and secret room, whose door is concealed within the wall’s shelving pattern. with views elevated views to the outside, architect moon hoon describes the top floor as, ‘a place high up that could be a control room for the future darth vader or a jedi.’

beveled grooves in the concrete façades take influence from starwars imagery
photo by namgoong sun

photo by namgoong sun

(left) a central atrium provides light throughout the densely arranged house
(right) wood floors and white walls make up the interior finishes
photos by namgoong sun

the upper level contains an open play room
photo by namgoong sun

structural framing wraps the central atrium to allow light transmittal
photo by namgoong sun

a concealed door accesses a secrete playroom on the upper floor
photos by namgoong sun

photo by namgoong sun

image by moon hoon

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project info:

location: yongin-si, gyeonggi-do, korea
design period: nov. 2011 – jul. 2012
construction period: oct. 2012 – jan. 2013
site area: 451 sqm
building area: 50.67 sqm
gross floor area: 131.87 m
floors: 3
parking: 1
height: 10.2 m
building to land ratio: 11.24%
floor area ratio: 29.24%
structure: wood structure, reinforced concrete
exterior finish: stucco flex
interior finish: wallpaper
budget: 200 million KRW
architect: moonbalsso / moon hoon
project team: jang dukhyun, lee byungyeup
structure engineering: moonbalsso / power structure
mechanical/electrical engineer: guekdong engineering
photography: namgoong sun