on a popular volcanic island south of mainland korea, architect moon hoon has constructed a series of compact suburban dwellings, including a home contained within a golden beak-shaped volume. the form of the striking addition references both local weather conditions, where strong gusts play a huge part in the island’s climate, and the shape of a woman’s hair blowing in the wind.
the project is located in a residential neighborhood one hour from jeju city
all images by namgoong sun
located in a residential neighborhood one hour from jeju city, ‘wind house’ has been designed for a doctor with an interest in contemporary art, music and cars. the client commissioned moon hoon after seeing his architectural projects online. ‘he found me through the internet, and told me that the strangeness and differentness inherent in my architecture attracted him,’ explains the architect. ‘he wanted three small houses which would be weekend accommodation for tourists. he emphasized that the new structure should have a unique character, and of course very functional at the same time.’
the design is organized around locally sourced stone walls
the units are organized around locally sourced stone walls, that offer privacy and seclusion. while the first two properties sit low to the ground, like many traditional jeju homes, the third emerges above the streetscape, standing as a readily identifiable symbol of the development. the form of the home, which has been compared to a hairdryer or a duck’s beak, had been developed by moon hoon some years ago.
the elevated residence emerges above the streetscape, standing as a readily identifiable symbol
‘previously I had been commissioned for a wind museum, which turned sour,’ says the architect. ‘I liked the idea and shape of it, many times I would make drawings inspired by the wind museum. I felt it was an opportune time to reincarnate and modify the initial idea. I proposed the whole thing to the client. it took some time to digest, but in the end he was quite happy.’
the form of the home has been compared to a hairdryer or a duck’s beak
the inside of the elevated volume is painted a bright shade of red, with a dizzying black and white pattern applied to the floor’s surface. the ‘womb-like’ interior contains a couch which encircles the primary living space, alongside kitchen and washroom facilities. read our interview with moon hoon here, and see a recently completed video tribute to the house below.
moon hoon X tomeny – windy dream
video courtesy of moon hoon / tomeny kisilewicz
the approach includes an adjacent courtyard
the other two properties sit low to the ground, like many traditional jeju homes
structural walls are made from board formed concrete
the womb-like interior contains a couch that encircles the primary living space
the inside of the elevated volume is painted a bright shade of red
see more of moon hoon’s projects on designboom here
















project info:
architect: moonbalsso (moon hoon)
project team: kim sookhee, jo jeongho, park jeonguk
location: 3265-4, hangyeongmyeon jeojiri, jeju-si, jeju-do, korea
program: residential
site area: 644.6 sqm
building area: 162.83 sqm
gross floor area: 154.39 sqm
building scope: 2 floors
parking: 3 spaces
height: 8.3 meters
building to land ratio: 25.26%
floor area ratio: 23.95%
exterior finish: exposed concrete, steel plate
interior finish: paint
structure engineering: hanwoori, dream structure
mechanical/electric engineer: chunghyo high tech
design period: march, 2014 – june, 2014
construction period: july 2014 – august 2015
budget: 350 million KRW