A well of water and light
Jocheon, located on the northeastern coast of Jeju, is a seaside small village that greets the rising sun and is known for its beautiful sunrise views. To the north, Jocheon’s blue sea stretches out, and fresh water flows on the land. Jocheon has been famous for its clean water since ancient times. On a plot of land about 60m², situated at the boundary between the sea and the freshwater springs of Jocheon, stands an accommodation ‘Jocheon Yokjang’. This place serves as a spot where travelers begin and end their day. The vertically extending gray concrete of it, finished with a wood texture, quietly gazes at the sea. It contrasts with the natural hues of the basalt stone walls, giving it an urban feel.
The space focuses on the ‘water’ that the seaside of Jocheon embraces. It is designed to offer an extraordinary experience of the most mundane element through the spread, springing, contained, pouring, observed, and vaporizing water. As such, the 15m², three-level space is literally a small bathhouse.
A long driveway winds around a basalt wall and leads to the garden. The first experience here is a foot bath, where you can relieve foot fatigue in a circular space receiving southern sunlight. Entering the first floor past the garden, there is a small kitchen, dining table, and a fully openable terrace with folding doors. The second floor houses a bedroom and a small bathroom. The raw concrete material and low-saturation wood are placed as a backdrop that captures natural light. The use of only indirect lighting provides a serene and soft ambiance, perfect for a peaceful rest.
Going up one more floor, you reach the bathhouse on the third floor. Through the large window to the right of the stairs, the view of the Jeju sea comes into full view. This is where one can experience both the morning sunshine and the evening glow of Jocheon. The tiles finishing the bathhouse resemble the shimmering surface of the sea, and the ceiling mirrors reflect steam, water droplets, and light. These elements create a dreamy and immersive bathhouse. The various baths include a spring water bath with bubbling water, a sauna bath, and a cold water bath. The large window on the left side offers a view of Hallasan Mountain and southern sunlight. This is the place to cleanse skin after a shower.
The bathhouse, within 50m², is surrounded by the village. Conscious of the gaze from all sides, it is designed to be a special space soley for two people, blocking external views while opening fully towards the sea and light. Thanks to this, it functions not only as a bathhouse but also as a deep well that captures the water, sea, and light of Jeju.
Project: Jocheon Yokjang Bath / Location: 38-2, Jocheon 7-gil, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do / Architect: Atelier ITCH / Project team: Jinwook Jung, Yourim Lee / Structural engineer: Atelier ITCH / Use: Hospitality / Site area: 62m² / Bldg. area: 15.9m² / Gross floor area: 47.7m² / Bldg. coverage ratio: 25.65% / Gross floor ratio: 76.94% / Bldg. scale: three stories above ground / Exterior finishing: Pine-plate plasterer, Volcanic rock / Interior finishing: Exposed Concrete, Wood Veneer, Fabric, Tile, Carpet / Completion: 2024 / Photograph: ©Joel Moritz (courtesy of the architect)
