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Architects: Moohoi Architecture Studio
- Area: 37 m²
- Year: 2015
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Photographs:Kim Jae-Kwan
Text description provided by the architects. I started the project with a light-hearted attitude, thinking that we can always take back these resources if we need it at another location, but the project became bigger than I thought.
The advantages of using available resources is that they are easy to find anywhere and anytime, they are a quick fix, can find workers easily, and aids with a well-balanced construction program. Moreover, if the building is determined as illegal, it is easy to tear down the building or argue that it is still in the process of being constructed.
Professor Tomii Masanori told his students while lecturing in this house that ‘nothing in this house can be found in catalogues’, referring to the fact that the house was filled with hand-made goods rather than off-the-shelf products. Although it was difficult than originally thought, the goad of the plan was clear because it is almost impossible to find non-factory made materials in stores.
To assess the results, the process was vastly uneconomical than using factory-produced goods, consumed more time, lacks precision than machine-made products, and caused more trials and errors. However, I learned that it was worth the endeavor and found the direction for the way ahead. I will continue to believe that this no-doubt uneconomical, time consuming, far from precise, prone to error, atypical method is the right way-because life is more important than the house.
Kim Jaekwan a principle of moohoi Archtrecture Studio is known for his past designs for protestant church buildings such as Kangjeong Presbyterial Church, and Pulhyanggi Presbyterian Church. However, of late he has started enjoying renovating wear and tear, old, dilapidated and unfashionable houses by disassembling, measuring, drilling, digging and patching them up.
He now lives as a residential design builder [carpenter] enjoying the company of rusty iron, bent metal, stubborn rock, trees and wind, light and water.