's_mahal' by moon hoon, daesim-ri, yangpyeong, korea
image © kim yong kwan

within a landscape of merging water, rice fields and a forest in daesim-ri, yangpyeong, korea is 's_mahal', a single family dwelling by korean practice moon hoon. a circular balcony wraps the perimeter of the residence creating a continuous outdoor corridor for the inhabitant's dogs and cats to roam freely which may be enclosed with a ephemeral red and white sheer curtain. a breezy day billows the waterproof fabric, allowing the home to come alive. the soft walls respond to the presence of transient visitors while offering a bold solution which maintains a limited budget. soaring above seven inner courts is a 'ssalon de sson', a prayer room which floats above the residence's courtyard, serving also as an observation space of the natural surroundings. each room may directly access a personal court, along with a grand central area which doubles as a madang to raise animals.

residence at night
image © kim yong kwan

prayer room and courtyard at night
image © kim yong kwan

aerial view of residence and courtyard
image © park chan woo

prayer room and courtyard at night
image © park chan woo

open courtyard at dusk
image © kim yong kwan

prayer room
image © kim yong kwan

aerial view of residence
image © kim yong kwan

residence without perimeter veranda curtains
image © kim yong kwan

perimeter veranda of residence
image © kim yong kwan

perimeter veranda with curtain drawn closed
image © kim yong kwan

perimeter outdoor corridor with curtain drawn closed
image © kim yong kwan

main entrance
image © kim yong kwan

entry
image © kim yong kwan

entry
image © kim yong kwan

courtyard
image © kim yong kwan

kitchen
image © kim yong kwan

living space
image © kim yong kwan

view of courtyard from corridor
image © kim yong kwan

rising above the landscape
image © kim yong kwan

rising above the rice fields and forest
image © kim yong kwan

model

model

floor plan / level 0
1. living room
2. kitchen / dining
3. entry hall
4. bedroom
5. study
6. master bedroom
7. entertainment garden
8. entry garden
9. animal garden
10. central garden
11. cooking garden
12. ambulatory + playtrack
13. laundry
14. pool
15. corridor
16. boiler
17. gravel ambulatory
18. various garden functions

floor plan / level 1
1. ssalon de sson
2. gravel roof garden

section
1. ssalon de sson
2. stair
3. laundry
4. corridor
5.bathroom
6. ambularoty + playtrack
7. entertainment garden
8. central garden
9. light well
10. pool

section
1. ssalon de sson
2. living room
3. entertainment garden
4. ambulatory + playtrack

stylistic renderings of the residence
(clockwise from left to right) s_mahal in korea, s_mahal uprooting itself from korea, s_mahal flying above the ocean

stylistic renderings of the residence
(clockwise from left to right) s_mahal flying above the ocean, soaring above the taj mahal, landing upon a plinth of earth, taking root into its new resting place in india

diagram of interior spaces

diagram of interior spaces

sketches

sketch

sketch
project info:
architect: moon hoon
design team: kim suki, lee kyong ho, kam dong ho, park jung mok
client: son dae ho
completion date: march 2007
location: 109-2 daesim_ri, yangseo-myeon, yangpyeong-gun, gyeonggi-do, korea
total site area: 741.00m2
total floor area: 147.12m2
construction: reinforced concrete
exterior material: sprayed paint, waterproof curtain
interior material: wood flooring, wall paper