The house designed by IROJE KHM Architects was built next to a small park by a lake in the city of Jeonju. It was built for a young married couple who were looking for a place conducive to tranquillity and reflection. The designers proposed a local form inspired by South Korean heritage, translated into the language of contemporary architecture and adapted to the rhythm of the owners’ everyday life.
A place rooted in the culture of Jeonju
Jeonju has been regarded as one of the most important centres of Korean culture for centuries. The design of the house draws on this tradition, reinterpreting familiar motifs in an economical and clear manner. The architects planned a peaceful enclave for the couple, allowing them to function between the intensity of everyday city life and the soothing proximity of nature. The view of the lake, the greenery of the park and the carefully chosen proportions of the building create an environment conducive to harmony and inner balance.
The “Door of Life” as an architectural frame
The central motif of the design is the so-called “Door of Life”, inspired by traditional Korean gates. It acts as a spatial frame that frames the changing landscape of nature and the vibrant city. This element mediates between the interior and the exterior, filtering views and regulating the degree to which the house is open to its surroundings. The gate acts as both a boundary and an invitation, enabling dialogue with the landscape while maintaining a sense of intimacy and tranquillity.
The house by the lake and the symbolism of “Houn”
The exterior space of the house is organised around a courtyard, which refers to classic Korean residences. Surrounded on three sides and filled with greenery, it becomes a place of quiet contemplation. This composition is complemented by a dynamically shaped roof with a distinct eave, which is a simplified interpretation of Korean tradition. The design is completed by a symbolic family room floating above the living room, called “Houn”, meaning “cloud over the lake”. This light, rounded form expresses a wish for prosperity and peace for the household.
A house by the lake as a space for everyday balance
In South Korea, the house plays a special role as a place that protects privacy and organises the intense pace of life here. In a country with such a high population density and a strong concentration of activity in cities, residential architecture often takes on the function of a personal refuge where one can regain peace and a sense of control over the fast-paced world outside. The project in Jeonju fully responds to this tradition.
Design: IROJE KHMArchitects
Year of construction: 2025
Photographs: SergioPirrone
See also:Single-family house|Japan|Minimalism
