Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects

Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Interior Photography, Table, Sofa, Chair, WindowsCormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Interior Photography, Bathroom, Chair, WindowsCormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Exterior Photography, WindowsCormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Facade, WindowsCormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - More Images+ 24

  • Architects: KARO Architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  2207
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Park Myeongrae
  • Lead Architects: Kim Kijoong
  • Design Team: Jo Hyunyong, Park Jaeok, Park Yeongjin, Kim Jihye, Kim Boha, Lee Hyunsoo
  • Program / Use / Building Function: Bakery Cafe / Neighborhood Living Facilities
  • City: Ansung
  • Country: South Korea
More SpecsLess Specs
Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Park Myeongrae

Text description provided by the architects. Cormeum is located at the southern foot of Bibongsan Mountain (229m) in Anseong. As we enter the small road from the main road of Bogaewonsam-ro, we gradually come to see the structure we saw. The first thing you can see is Bonacava, a café run by the client, which is located at the entrance of the site in the form of a long box from north to south, obscuring the "Cormeum". The scene slowly emerges until we reach this building and stay for a while.

Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Interior Photography
© Park Myeongrae

Then you start to see the Cormeum. It was designed with the hope that it would reflect the location characteristics of the site, which is gradually revealed and make it an unpredictable architecture. To this end, the space and form were designed in a way that corresponds to the access road with different angles and levels. Of course, the angles and levels should simply reflect the view as an access road, the hierarchy of space, the program, etc.

Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Interior Photography, Table, Sofa, Chair, Windows
© Park Myeongrae
Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Image 20 of 29
First Floor Plan
Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Interior Photography, Table, Sofa, Chair, Door, Windows
© Park Myeongrae

When you stand on the land, you can see the distant horizontal landscape created by the plains of Anseong on the south side, which shows the stability of the land and agriculture. Since the land is located at the foot of Bibongsan Mountain, you can see this scenery spread out widely. And between the existing café and the main site, there is the "Ginsengju Research Institute", and the layout of the building began by finding a position that does not block the view of this building and setting the line on the west side of the building. 

Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Interior Photography, Bathroom, Chair, Windows
© Park Myeongrae
Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Image 28 of 29
Section 01
Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Interior Photography, Living Room, Table, Chair, Windows
© Park Myeongrae

And we tried to capture the landscape on different levels and in different ways. The front yard of this building has a water space designed with the diagonal vocabulary of the building on the side facing the building and a space where you can look at the south scenery from the outside. I told the client that this railing should be the simplest railing to capture the landscape.

Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Interior Photography, Windows
© Park Myeongrae
Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Interior Photography, Stairs
© Park Myeongrae

While it was important to experience the architecture and sit in a comfortable seat, we thought of a three-dimensional architecture that we could experience while moving. First, two vertical moving lines were set up, one outside and the other inside. These stairs are placed at the front of the building so that users entering and exiting the café can move around and enjoy the building and the surrounding landscape. And the various angled diagonal lines applied to the front show various aspects of the building to moving users.

Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Stairs, Handrail
© Park Myeongrae
Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Image 24 of 29
Elevation 01
Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Park Myeongrae

The client can be said to be a kind of local art supporter who has maintained a friendly relationship with the artists. Therefore, an open space was planned for this building where walls of various sizes and spatial artworks can be exhibited. Of course, the moving movement is linked to these spaces so that you can appreciate them. In addition, tables and chairs are arranged in conjunction with moving circulation so that users can choose according to their tastes.

Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects - Facade, Windows
© Park Myeongrae

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Ansung, Gyeonggi, South Korea

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Cormeum Café and Neighborhood Facility / KARO Architects" 08 Dec 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/993372/cormeum-cafe-and-neighborhood-facility-karo-architekten> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.