Today, dear readers of the online magazine Beautiful Country House can get acquainted with the outstanding work of one of the most interesting architectural firms in East Asia. South Korean firm IROJE KHM Architects completed the design of the 300-meter mansion Ga On Jai in 2013. A sloping roof and an enclosed courtyard made the house a self-contained world in the center of the metropolis of Seongnam, South Korea.
About 20 years ago, the local municipality organized an exposition in which the then most prominent architects demonstrated designs for low-rise houses to be built in the fashionable cottage community. The future owner of Ga On Jai was fascinated by one of the layouts and wished to erect a complete version on his own plot, having first demolished the old, uncomfortable building.
The client insisted on a more sensible use of the land in the densely populated suburbs, because site planning The interior of Ga On Jai was totally dysfunctional and the house was dark and cramped. The client wanted the courtyard to be as private and sheltered as possible from curious onlookers, street noise and dust.
The architects were able to recreate the atmosphere of a full-fledged country residence through the installation of a panoramic window in the living room overlooking the nearby mountain scenery. It is noteworthy that in the appearance of the house there are original national features, emphasizing its geographical location.
Adapting to the site topography, the designers considered a complex multilevel structure of the courtyard. This respectful approach is quite usual for construction in Asian countries.
The residence offers the maximum comfort for leisurely strolls and quiet contemplation of the landscape, both indoors and outdoors. The authors of the project sincerely believe that the residents of this house will never get bored with the space created for them.
