Melt Into the Earth Towards the Sea
With its linear, concrete forms and a roof flung open to let in the warm light, this house does not confront the rough sea ahead but instead sinks humbly into the earth, from where it looks serenely on.
The intention is to respect the local flora, to heal the changes that have been inflicted upon the land, and then – within the framework of this restored and healed landscape – to make an opening for the humans who will live there.
The architectural proposal is to create a peaceful place that can provide rest to visitors, whilst highlighting the beauty of the horizon and its surroundings. The architect’s hope was to create a more explicit communion with, and exploration of, nature through an architecture that cuts partially into the earth, voluntarily lowering itself to follow the complex dips and valleys of the earth and essentially melting into it.
Although this architectural proposal has similar aspects to the Tilted Roof house, the Community Center or Earth House, the area that this home is set in has many more topographical complexities – such as the landscape and the roads – and furthermore, the purpose for the house is also much more complex.
The house must be a special place for the owner – a mother who will be living there and keeping house – as well as for the travelers from many different places who visit. The architect’s hope is that this special quality will be provided by the unique and simple surroundings. In this way, leisure for introspection can reveal the beauty of the earth, which will become more apparent through the simple geometric lines and the spaces between them.
Project: Guest House Geojedo / Location: 1065, Changho-ri, Sadeung-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea / Architect: BCHO Partners (Byoungsoo Cho) / Project team: Sookjung Kim / Construction supervision: Yoojin Jang / Collaborator: Chaeheon construction & engineering (Construction Company) / Use: guest house / Site area: 3,270m² / Bldg. Area: 454.57m² / Gross floor area: 454.57m² / Bldg. coverage ratio: 13.90% / Gross floor ratio: 13.90% / Bldg. scale: one story above ground / Structure: reinforced concrete / Design: 2016.6~2017.7 / Construction: 2017.11~2018.9 / Photograph: ©Sergio Pirrone (courtesy of the architect)
