Goesan House
I have always found it curious that, while everyone needs a home, only a small number of people turn to architects. By contrast, real estate agents are sought after by almost everyone. This simple comparison reveals much about the kind of assistance people believe they need when it comes to housing.
Most buildings today are designed with economic efficiency in mind. Yet true economy cannot be found only in materials or construction methods. The rows of standardized multi-family houses that fill our neighborhoods are not the ultimate expression of affordability. Instead, we sought to uncover a more fundamental form of rationality—one rooted in space itself. After all, why should building a house that feels like a home be so difficult?
With the exception of its foundation, the house was planned entirely with dry construction methods. Windows, finishes, roofing, and even the smallest junction details were standardized and assembled without altering the original dimensions of industrial materials. This approach reduced on-site processing costs, while creating details that are economical, rational, and elegant. The materials meet one another with clarity, making the building appear light and effortless.
The house is divided into four parts, slightly separated from one another. This gesture gives each space a clear character: enclosed volumes provide distinct zones of privacy, while the voids in between become small gardens that bring air and light into the home. By analyzing the layout of a typical small apartment room, we discovered wasted areas even in spaces thought to be minimal. By reallocating these areas into shared spaces, we introduced greater efficiency and created rooms that feel both wider and deeper.
Though the house measures only around 66 square meters, its courtyards and corridors allow it to feel far more expansive. Even the smallest courtyard ensures natural light and ventilation, while offering the possibility to expand interior life outdoors. The bedroom, with its steep and pointed ceiling, contrasts with the common areas in both form and materiality. It is conceived as the final destination of the home—deep, warm, and embracing—while also compensating for the compact dimensions of the plan. In contrast, the family room, courtyard, corridor, kitchen, and dining area all share the same level and ceiling height, their flat roof structure doubling as space for both utilities and structural support.
“Goesan House” reflects both a search for the archetype of the rural house and a personal fascination with timber construction. By thoughtfully reinterpreting ordinary materials and familiar details, the project demonstrates how subtle shifts can transform the everyday into something quietly extraordinary.
