Gapyong Space Invader, New Korean Residential Building, Korea

Gapyong Space Invader, South Korea

Gapyong Building design by NL Architects

6 Jun 2011

Gapyong Residential Project

Location: Gapyong, South Korea

Design: NL Architects

Young Joon Kim asked NL Architects to join forces in a competition for a residential development in the area of Gapyong, not too far from Seoul.

Yo2 has been developing the masterplan and invited MSA (Marina Stankovic and Tobias Jortzick), CAT (Kazuhiro Kojima), Unsangdong (Joon Gyo Jang), FOA (Alejandro Zaera-Polo) and NL to participate.

Gapyong Space Invader Gapyong Space Invader Korea Gapyong Space Invader Korea Gapyong Space Invader Korea
images from NL Architects

The ambition of yo2 and Kolon EC, the client for this project, is to create an environment that can serve as an alternative for the typical tower block. This typology has dominated the cityscape of urban Korea in the last 30 or so years. Would it be possible to offer a more suburban lifestyle with a similar density?

The masterplan consists of an array of housing types on the slope of a hill overlooking a valley and the North Han River. Each ‘height line’ has been developed by different architects. We were allocated a stretched plot surrounded by forest on the steepest part of the development.

The Gapyong Space Invader consists of a stacked unit: one single story bungalow below and a two story apartment on top. The units are grouped into clusters of four; a narrow patio or alley separates the units. Four of these ‘mats’ are arranged in a sequence, a frozen 3D cascade.

Gapyong Space Invader Gapyong Space Invader Korea Gapyong Space Invader Korea Gapyong Space Invader Korea
images from NL Architects

The lower house is about eighteen meters long and seven and a half meters wide. It features windows on three sides that overlook the 3 connected gardens. A technical zone in the dark area of the house serves as a backbone. The three sleeping rooms face the surrounding forest and the living room opens up to the court.

The house on top in principle is the same size, but is cut on two thirds of the length. The short section is placed on top: a friendly ziggurat comes into being. The second level has large ‘balconies’ on both ends that actually can be considered gardens; a fairly thick layer of soil will allow plants, trees and even vegetables to grow on the balcony. The new ground level that is thus introduced will hopefully evoke the impression of a real ground related dwelling, which in some conditions can function as a psychological advantage. Apartment becomes House.

The top dwelling has four outdoor spaces of about 18m2: plenty of space to place for gardening, relaxing, playing and for storing your Kimchi.

Gapyong Space Invader Gapyong Space Invader Korea Gapyong Space Invader Korea
images from NL Architects

Gapyong Space Invader images / information from NL Architects

NL Architects

Location: South Korea, East Asia

South Korea Architecture

Contemporary South Korean Architectural Selection

South Korean Architecture Designs – chronological list

South Korean Architecture News

NL Architects are based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The Weaves, Seoul
Design: MVRDV
The Weaves Seoul
image © MVRDVk
The Weaves Landscape Design for Tancheon Valley, Seoul

Photographic Art Museum, Seoul
Architects: Aidia Studio
Seoul Photographic Art Museum
image courtesy architects office
Seoul Photographic Art Museum

Korean Architecture – Selection

Busan World Business Centre
UNStudio Architects
World Business Centre Busan

Jeongok Prehistory Museum
X-TU
Jeongok Prehistory Museum

Dalki Theme Park + Shop, Heyri
SLADE ARCHITECTURE + others
Dalki Theme Park

Xi Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
Xi Gallery

Korean Architect

Comments / photos for the Gapyong Space Invader page welcome

South Korea