Black Box / UTAA

Curated by ArchDaily

Architects: UTAA
Area: 183 m²
Year: 2014
Photographs:Jin Hyo-suk

Text description provided by the architects. The BLACK BOX is located in Pangyo-dong, which began under the plan to create a sustainable urban environment in order to provide urban-space to ensure regional development and space in the city centre. There has residential area for single families.

A site is directly bordering the road. Limit line of structure is on a boundary line between site and road. Furthermore, it is impossible to install a fence, depending on the district unit planning zone. That’s why Many houses are hanging a window with a curtain during the day-time.

The clients is concerned about the privacy issues that people was peeping at inside through windows. But, The window was necessary to solve the problem of lighting, ventilation. So, we suggested long strips of ribbon windows as a good language of architecture for BLACK BOX that allow unencumbered views of the large surrounding yard, also divide the a substantial box in 2 parts.

2X6 lightweight-wood-Studs through long strips of ribbon windows reveal a playful and honest structural aesthetics. You'll come across the interior courtyard through studs. This house is north façade as well as surrounded by other houses. We give them courtyard. We hope that this place become a soft and comfortable courtyard in complex urban, also another living room extending from the inside living room.

Box at the bottom is public space. Kitchen, dining room and guestroom surrounding the interior courtyard, are always open for visitors. On the other hand, another box is only for family. The keystone is staircase connecting the two boxes. We interpret this space as one room, where plays a role as the stair between two boxes, chair reading a book, AV room watching movie, and playroom playing with family. We want BLACK BOX to compliment each other or live in harmony with each other.

BLACK BOX is lightweight-wood-frame system. when we start architectural plan, we designed beautiful brick house. However, the Architect didn’t select brick as finishing material, cause it is unreasonable on lightweight-wood-frame system. Thus, I decided finishing as ceramic tile and expressed it honestly in itself. the tile consisted only horizontal masonry joint without vertical joint makes BLACK BOX more firm but light. and I hope to clients get the feeling firm and light.