YOOSHIN ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS

The client, who has lived on Jeju Island all their life, chose the quiet mid-mountain village of Seonheul-ri to build a warm home for their later years. Preserving the existing trees and securing private outdoor spaces were the two conditions they emphasized most. 

The house is placed where the natural terrain could be touched as little as possible. From here, a covered corridor frames views toward a generous yard densely planted with trees. Entering through a recessed entrance, one moves from the living room to the hallway and then to the rooms, while the ceiling height gradually shifts. This gentle change leads the resident naturally into the depth of a calm, sheltered interior. The main rooms extend toward the eastern corridor, becoming compact yet open-ended living areas.

The exterior form takes its cue from the typical Jeju storage building known as a gopang. Two short side walls firmly hold a gabled roof, recalling the simple, sturdy structures that have long stood against strong island winds. This clear and modest form is translated into a small house. Over it, brick tiles are laid using a hand-rammed ttokmaeji technique, allowing the house to blend into the rough yet familiar character of the neighborhood.