-
Architects: Moohoi Architecture
- Area: 152 m²
- Year: 2011
-
Photographs:Park Young-chae
“I have never dealt with apartments…”
“That’s why I came here.”
People say structures of apartments are “too obvious,” a word which connotes it is of no use no matter how much effort you make. My doubt on this word originated not from their feelings but their prerequisite. It seems they have developed a sense of anxiety as they tried to move those “obviously” unmovable things. So, I decided to create what is not too obvious while leaving what is too obvious as is. It meant my idea was to change the properties, rather than nature.
#Doubt 1. About “size”
Success or failure to secure a higher ceiling in a restricted height of 2.7m is determined by the difference of 4~5cm. However, I paid more attention to creating smaller and lower things, instead of attempting to extend the size to compete with the existing concepts. My thought was based on the belief that large, small, broad or narrow of a size are the psychological concepts produced by relative sizes, not by absolute sizes. Just like the way women’s mentality to be accompanied by a friend somewhat less pretty than her. This is because there is certainly a limit to becoming beautiful by one’s own efforts.
#Doubt 2. About “room”
As I watched what kids do in their rooms, their behaviors can be largely divided into three categories: “play,” “sleep,” or “study.” They spent time in their room sleeping, snoring, hanging down, lying on their stomach, lying on their back, hunkering down, standing up, boisterously, with friends, their siblings or by themselves, and so on. Totally different behaviors were observed inside these rooms. Their individual movement, as well as frequency and area of activity were all different. But, one thing in common was the situation of the space. Compared with clothes which are divided into pajamas, clothes for going out and work clothes, the spatial situations of rooms for playing, sleeping and studying remained the same.
#Doubt 3. About “sitting down and standing up”
Strangely enough, the family members of this house didn’t intend to sit on the sofa even if it was available. They preferred sitting on the floor and using the sofa to lean back against or use it like a high pillow. When the father lays on the floor, the kid followed their father lying on his stomach. They also prefer sitting cross-legged when sitting on a chair. This made me wonder if apartments are meant to be a sedentary lifestyle.
#Doubt 4. About the “Living room”
If the living room is the center of life, a TV would be the center of the living room. When applying syllogistic reasoning to this, a TV becomes the center of living. Then, if the TV is moved to a bedroom, the center of living would change to the bedroom. The reason this premise makes sense might be because of the fact that the living room is not a realistic center but location of it is positioned in the center of a house. If another floor room is to be created next to the living room and all the family members can use the space, then does the space between the dining room and floor serve as the living room?
The house is full of mysteries.
project description by Kim Jae-kwan
