12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope

Bricks are as old as the hills. An enduring element of architectural construction, brick has been a material of choice as far back as 7000BC. Through the centuries, bricks have built ancient empires in Turkey, Egypt, Rome and Greece. Exposed stock brick came to define the Georgian era, with thousands of red brick terraces still lining the streets of cities such as London, Edinburgh and Dublin.

Today, brick is experiencing a Renaissance. Architectural landmarks across the world such as Frank Gehry’s Dr Chau Chak Wing Building in Sydney and the Tate Modern Switch House by Herzog & de Meuron are pushing the proverbial brick envelope, redefining how the material can be used and perceived.

South Korea presents an interesting case for the changing face of brick, with a preference for dark, grey masonry striking a heavy, brutalist, yet playful tone. Like many countries, South Korean brick architecture has questioned conformity, experimenting with stepped, perforated, permeable facades, and dynamic, curved, flowing walls. Below, we have rounded up 12 of their most interesting results.

MU:M Office Building / Wise Architecture

© kyung Roh

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

‘The Rock’ Sangsu-dong office / designband YOAP architects

© Shin Do Keun

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

The Ziffer / JLArchitects + Solto Jibin

© Namsun Lee

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

Two Courtyards House + Bridge 130 Cafe / Lee.haan.architects

© Joonhwan Yoon

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

SJ Office Building / Le Sixieme

© Kim Jaeyoon

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

B’ house / 100 A associates

© Yadah

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

Blooming House with Wild Flowers / studio GAON

© Youngchae Park

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

Kangaroo House / Hyunjoon Yoo Architects

© Youngchae Park

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

ABC Building / Wise Architecture

© Chin HyoSook

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

The Curving House / JOHO Architecture

© Sun Namgoong

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

Pixel House / Mass Studies and Slade Architecture

© Yong-Kwan Kim

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

Marimba House / ISON Architects

© Kim jong oh

12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope - More Images+ 57

You can learn more about bricks through our materials catalog and our previous article about brick constructive details.

About this author
Cite: Fernanda Castro. "12 Dynamic Buildings in South Korea Pushing the Brick Envelope" 30 Apr 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/869482/12-dynamic-buildings-in-south-korea-pushing-the-brick-envelope> ISSN 0719-8884

韩国12个形态各异的建筑将砖的使用推向极致

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