In Harmony with the Seaside Mountain Landscape
A concrete building stacked along the mountainside of Dolsando Island in Yeosu City blends into the scenery of the South Sea. It boasts a magnificent sculpture seemingly extend out of the ground and sits against the mountainous backdrop, as well as a spot that overlooks the city of Yeosu and Dadohae Marine National Park. To the northwest, the city is formed around Jonggosan Mountain, while Maeraesan Mountain and Jasan Park sits along the narrow coastal plain, and to the southwest the skyline contrasts between Seguji Village and the South Sea, creating an appealing setting. This is the edge of Yeosu, a place where nature meets the Fort and Port Pool Villa, offering breathtaking views from the sea islands and the bridge, to the enchanting night sea of Dolsan Strait.
The composition of masses rising between horizontal paths divides the site into a tower-type A zone, providing a panoramic urban landscape view, and a standalone accommodation-type B zone, offering relaxation amidst nature. The first floor of the tower-type consists of a reception room welcoming cafe customers and guests, and accommodation facilities. Each unit is connected to a terrace for outdoor dining and parties, linked to a dining room. The outdoor spa space adjacent to the terrace forms a facade securing privacy between the units. Simultaneously, the protruding ensemble of individual units with large frames capturing the external landscape showcases the harmony between nature and architecture, changing with the seasons and time.
In zone A, an elevator penetrating the entire floor and a vertical passageway connect to the underground second floor, leading to a transfer observation deck. Serving as a platform for transferring between the distinct characters of zones A and B, this space plays a role in the journey of guests and captures the beautiful scenery of Seguji Village. The standalone accommodation-type B zone is designed using the sloping terrain. The spaces between the three separate buildings serve as community areas adjacent to each unit, functioning to smoothly supply lighting and ventilation, mimicking the internal environment to that of above-ground conditions. The external spaces created between each building are architectural features welcoming guests. On the expansive deck, guests can sense the serene movements of the forest and the vastness of the distant sea.
Taking advantage of the surrounding conditions, each unit is free from outside views or noise, with floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces to emphasize outdoor activities such as the spa and BBQ. Internally, the design features intersecting sections, linking terraces and internal programs based on functional requirements. In the kitchen and dining room, meals can be enjoyed while overlooking the forest and the city, while the spa, connected to the living room, induces a richer spatial experience. The internal bedrooms adopt Korean traditional ‘toenmaru’ elements, similar with valcony, to ensure favorable conditions for ventilation, sunlight, and views.
Project: FORT & PORT / Location: Udu-ri, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea / Architect: IDMM Architects (Heesoo Kwak) / Use: accommodation / Site area: 9,936.00m² / Bldg. Area: 1,907.62m² / Gross floor area: 4,978.08m² / Bldg. coverage ratio: 19.57% / Gross floor ratio: 34.08% / Bldg. scale: two stories below ground, four stories above ground / Height: 17.85m / Structure: RC / Exterior finishing: exposed concrete / Design: 2020.6~2020.10 / Construction: 2020.10~2022.7 / Completion: 2022.7 / Photograph: ©Jaeyoun Kim (courtesy of the architect)
