Myeonmok-dong Clover House
Multi-family housing in Korea often carries a series of oddities. The exterior is filled with cars, forcing residents to squeeze between them to reach the entrance. Beyond lies a dim staircase, with front doors pressed tightly against the landings. A narrow entry is immediately met by a kitchen sink, while the bathroom occupies the opposite side. After passing a cramped space just large enough for a small sofa or desk, one finally arrives at the bed—placed against a translucent window.
The sequence from street to bedroom gradually shifts from public to private. Yet, paradoxically, the most intimate space of the home is the one that faces the most public realm: the street. The very place that should feel secure and comfortable instead sits at the edge, exposed.
Windows often open directly toward the neighboring house, so close they can almost touch. Rather than offering views, they are hastily covered with translucent films or acrylic sheets. From beginning to end, everything feels out of place.
‘Myeonmok-dong Clover House’ was conceived as a response to these conditions. Four volumes were placed firmly into the ground, each oriented in relation to its immediate surroundings. On the west side, pressed against the deepest edge of the plot, are the bathrooms and the stairs leading to the third floor. To the south, where the adjacent building’s living room windows face, are the stairs to the second and fourth floors. The east side, facing the street, contains the kitchen and dining area. Finally, the recessed center of the site accommodates the living and sleeping spaces.
Between the four volumes, small yards and separate entrances for each household are created—spaces that bring light, openness, and a sense of belonging back into the multi-family dwelling.
