Editor’s Note: A few weeks ago, we featured works from Mexican firms on our website. To diversify our content, we are now showcasing projects from Korean firms. South Korea and Mexico differ greatly in culture, geography, and social life. We hope that comparing architectural examples from these two countries will inspire our readers.
Our first highlight is IROJE KHM Architects, renowned for their bold, intricate designs that harmonize with the surrounding landscape.
Loading a Natural Airship for Landing
This residence belongs to a young pilot and his family, designed as their future living space. The house appears to have gently landed in a newly developed area near Incheon Airport.
The Flight of Architecture
Drawing inspiration from traditional Korean architecture, the design connects its formal elements with the pilot’s daily flights, symbolically reflecting the cultural identity of the home.
The dynamic atmosphere atop the courtyard, resembling a flying roof anchored to a stationary home, symbolizes the aviation mission of the pilot.
To balance the apparent instability of the flying roof, a traditional Korean structural element was incorporated — a living room in contact with the ground featuring a seated heating stone system. This approach provides stability by considering the environmental harmony between heaven and earth.
The Nature of Architecture
The design transforms traditional Korean architectural features such as yards, gardens, and observation decks into a modern residential concept. The house’s outdoor spaces and green roof are interconnected, creating a unique landscape as one walks from the courtyard up the sloped rooftop.
This design allows for effortless movement on the rooftop garden, enabling the residence to coexist naturally with its environment, forming a scenic mountain-like landscape.
Low-Budget Construction
Faced with a limited construction budget, the team focused on implementing their design concepts—such as open plans and spatial relationships—through an economical and straightforward plan. High-performance insulation materials were essential, alongside cost-effective exterior wall materials that eliminate the need for columns, steps, or other complex features.
By exposing the concrete frame and block wall surfaces, the structural elements also serve as decorative features, minimizing overall cost and creating a simple yet functional interior.
Technical Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Attic Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ South Elevation
△ East Elevation
△ North Elevation
△ West Elevation
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: IROJE KHM Architects
Area: 195 m²
Year: 2017
Photography: Sergio Pirrone
Manufacturers: LG Electronics, POSCO, MOUN
Construction: Moun Construction
Client: Sungwon Seo
Lead Designer: HyoMan Kim
Design Team: Jiyeon Kim, Mihwa Oh
Location: Incheon, South Korea
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