Along the South Korean coast from Busan to Pohang, there are numerous accommodation options. However, Jinha Beach has long since lost its former vibrancy and now receives much less foot traffic compared to other beaches. MimSim Home aims to revive this area by creating a unique, independent small pool villa. Unlike typical tourist destinations, it offers travelers a fresh experience not found in nearby resorts. The architecture acts as a small “equipment” that revitalizes this aging beach landscape while harmonizing with the natural surroundings.
From the construction site, visitors can see a large island covered with pine trees on the opposite side of Jinha Beach. The architect envisions the building as a “sea” connected to Jinha Beach, intending to create seven additional independent “islands” that link the structure to the natural islands nearby. These seven “islands” are scattered across the site, offering guests a chance to enjoy the surrounding scenery. Through architectural design, each ‘island’ immerses visitors in a suspended moment of time and space upon entry. The spaces between these islands are “bridged” by the sky and reflected on the water surface. As light filters into this suspended transitional space, the natural passage of time is “restarted” within the building.
The “Seven Islands” buildings are designed as simple blocks—square structures measuring 11 meters on each side, with solid walls on all four sides. Inside, a 2-meter gap forms a swimming pool that transitions into an indoor glass “box island.” This indoor area includes a 2-meter by 2-meter square bathroom, shower room, and public facilities. Above the public facilities, an open square structure with skylights connects directly to the sky, allowing natural light to flood the interior.
Some structural walls and columns supporting the indoor space have been removed to emphasize spatial layering and create an independent four-walled area as a new structure. This grid system forms the basic structural framework, adding an additional spatial layer and allowing for skylight installation. Throughout the day, structural beams above the swimming pool cast varying shadows on the pool, interior, and surrounding walls. Furthermore, the separation of indoor space and structure, along with the changing light, connects these scattered areas into a unified architectural island.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ Plan View
△ Roof Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Exploded Diagram
Project Information
Architect: On Architects Inc
Area: 397 m²
Year: 2021
Photographer: Yoon Joonhwan
Manufacturer: LX Zin
Lead Architect: Jung Woongsik
Architectural Design: Kim Nam Su, Kim Min Seong, Jung Su Ji
Location: Ulsan, South Korea
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