Slope House
house with a roof as facade
Type: House
Year: 2018 - 2020
Status: Completed
Location: Wonju, Korea
Client: Private
Team: Kyungsik Kim
Photograph : Kyung Roh (rohspace)
Awards:
2022 iF Design Award - Winner
2021 A'Design Award - Silver Winner
2020 Architecture Masterprize - Honorable Mention
Publications:
AIA ALNNJ 2021 4Q Issue
AW #305
C3 Korea
CONCEPT(Nov 2020)
The project is located on a gentle slope of a mountainous topography in Wonju city, South Korea. Main design concept for this house is to compose a roof slope that becomes a facade of a house. The roof is not only an apparatus that gives strong visual impact to residents and visitors, but also a metaphor of the slope of the Kam-Ak mountain at the site. Also the sculpted out terrace on the roof, which is facing toward the eastern mountain, provides you a spectacular view.
In plan, the house consists of three volumes that are split underneath the sloped roof. The three volumes are arranged in a way that they are facing the approach trail and thus inviting visitors. Moreover, since the region is one of the coldest areas in South Korea, the compact volumes justify themselves in terms of energy efficiency.
South facade has larger openings than the North facade, which is from a strategy to be an energy efficient house. The charred wood, extended from the tilted roof, comes down to the living room ceiling level, creating a datum line throughout the south facade. Moreover, the wood volume makes an eave that filters summer sun lights coming toward the living room. The spiral stair not only leads to the terrace on the 2nd floor, but also links the brick to the wood in terms of material connection.
Sloping in both section and plan wise creates various spatial conditions. Points where the roof connects to the wall turns into canopies, eaves, balconies and courtyards, which all function as transition spaces between the inside and outside.
In terms of materials, there are three major materials in use; zinc panel, brick, and corten steel. Dark colored zinc used on roof is in contrast with light gray brick wall, which differentiates the two distinct elements. Also, zinc was chosen for roof finish in order to resist the harsh winter with heavy snow. The third corten steel is used as an accent material between the zinc and brick, bridging the two finish materials.
While the north facade has limited openings, the south facade has larger openings that allows day lighting to the interior space. Also, part of the roof surface extends down to the living room, creating an eave that filters summer sun lights.
The terrace on the 2nd floor, connected by both the exterior spiral stair and the interior stair, is the best place of the house to appreciate the unobstructed views. The intimately sized terrace allows the residents to enjoy the eastern view, especially at sunrise. Moreover, it frames the changing scenaries throughout the four seasons, bringing the nature inside the house.
