Songpa Micro-Housing | Seoul, Korea
The problem of urban density and housing costs is global. As unit
types get smaller however, land costs coupled with developer
driven profit margins merely create a provisional housing type
with li le social value. By mining the discrepancy between maximum floor area ra os and maximum zoning envelopes, there is
an opportunity to provide an extension of the housing unit within
semi-public circula on, balconies, and the thickness of walls.
Like the ambiguous gel around a tapioca pearl, this ‘Tapioca
Space’ becomes a so intersec on between public/private and
interior/exterior building social fabrics between immediate neighbors. Finally, as this is housing for emerging ar sts, exhibi on
spaces on the ground floor and basement are spa ally linked to
the units as a shared living room. Although the zoning regula ons
requires the building to be li ed for parking, this open ground
plan is also used to pull the pedestrians in from the street and
down a set of auditorium-like steps, connec ng city and building
residents to the exhibi on spaces below.
In terms of the 2030 Challenge, Seoul’s con nental climate (similar to New York) is leveraged for passive cooling with each unit
given 2 exposures for cross ven la on. For colder days, a lining of
storage creates extra insula on to the already ‘super-insulated’
walls. Radiant flooring, LED mo on-sensing ligh ng, and energy
efficient micro-cooling units are used throughout for an Energy
Star Source Energy Use Intensity of 79 where the U.S. average is
98.9. The Site Energy Use Intensity is 25, roughly half of the U.S.
na onal average of 49.9. There is easy access to 2 major subways
and 9 different bus routes. Responding to the recent re-zoning
of the area as a pedestrian-friendly cultural district, art galleries,
cafe, and auditorium create reciprocal rela onships between the
housing and the city at large.
ZONING ENVELOPE
The strict set of city guidelines is analyzed to form-find a
maximum envelope that is responsive to light and air.
UNITS
The discrepancy between the max zoning envelope, max
FAR, and minimum unit size (120 sf) is mined to generate
residual spaces.
TAPIOCA SPACE
Like a tapioca pearl, an ambiguous ‘gel’ of semi-public
space surrounds each private apartment to create shared
areas and expand perceptual boundaries.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
The parking requirements are translated into a ground floor can double as an openprogram area that allows gatherings and expansion of interior spaces.
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2m
SITE AXON
The required ground floor parking is
leveraged as public open space.
VIEW OF ENTRY PLAZA
The micro-auditorium, entry lobby, and sky-wells punctuate the public open ground plane.
LIGHT COURT
An open light-well connects the street to the
basement toy gallery and cafe.
MICRO-AUDITORIUM AND CAFE
During the day, the micro-auditorium doubles as
a living room/cafe that residents and the public
can share while in the evening the triple glazed
walls allows performances.
MICRO-AUDITORIUM AND CAFE
The wedge shaped space allows for a minimum
footprint at the ground floor where space is
limited, opening up into seating.
MICRO AUDITORIUM
Sound insulated triple glazing becomes a
lantern fro the streetscape and doubles as an
entry stair to the cafe and toy-gallery below.
SECOND FLOOR GALLERIES
A series of micro-galleries allow innovative curation
as well as extend the life of the living units above.
0
2m
MICRO-GALLERIES AND TAPIOCA SPACE
The galleries are punctuated with direct views and access to
outdoor areas recontextualizing the experience of art.
CONNECTION TO STREET
2nd floor galleries are visually connected to the street and basement toy store.
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TYPICAL UNIT PLAN
Two unit types shift in relation to the core creating very different shared spaces around them.
Different personality types can customize their relationships with others. All units are offered two
exposures and access to cross-ventilation.
0
2m
VIEW OF MICRO UNIT
Fold out cabinetry/furniture and connections to
other units allow the use and experience of space
to expand beyond the unit.
VIEW OF COMBINED UNIT
Units can be combined and separated as user
needs change allowing for longer and more
sustainable occupancy.
MORNING-TIME IN A TYPICAL MICRO-UNIT
Foldable walls allow multi-functionality to each unit while ample daylight enters from clerestory windows
including through the translucent bathroom partition. Storage is planned for maximum efficiency in terms
of one’s daily rituals.
CORRIDOR BLOCK PARTY
The combination of opened and closed doors within the
corridor can be used to create new impromptu spatial
divisions.
SECTION
Although units are micro, their space is literally and visually extended into share semi-public
areas. The cafe and galleries associated with the ground floor, basement and second floor
connect the life of the residents with the city.
TAPIOCA SPACE
Exterior gaps provide at least 2 exposures to all units and
form shared zones. The identity of each unit is expressed
as a ‘floating box.’ The perception of space extends
beyond the confines of the unit.
UNFOLDED ELEVATION
Modular screen elements are aggregated to create a pattern that functions as privacy
screen, balcony drainage, infrastructure, trellis, and guard rail.
SCREEN AND CONTEXT
The design of the screen borrows from existing ‘informal’ site conditions
where elements such as balcony extensions, privacy screens, edge
conditions, and utitilies appropriate semi-public right of ways.
PAVING + PARKING + DRAINAGE
SCREEN ELEMENTS
Exhibiting an economy of means, only 8 different twisted types are arrayed into a wide variety
of patterns that function in diverse ways.
CHAMELEONIC APPEARANCE
Depending on the time of day, the building dynamically changes in response to
skylight shifting in reflectivity, color, and
transparency.