Jijungsewon Stay

Jijungsewon Stay 

HBArchitects

Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung

ARCHITECTS
Hbarchitects

ARCHITECTS
Philip Bak, Jisoo Lee

LEAD ARCHITECT
Hyobin Jung

CIVIL ENGINEERING
Thewon Civil Engineering

ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Sewon Engineering

CONSTRUCTION
Minkwang Construction

MANUFACTURERS
Global Environment&culture, Sy Wood

STRUCTURE DESIGNERS
Hub Structure Engineering

PHOTOGRAPHS
Roh Kyung

AREA
291 M²

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Gyeongju-si, South Korea

CATEGORY
Hospitality Architecture

Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung

NATURE’S SHAPE AND ARCHITECTURE

It is encircled by mountains, and it has an open mid-view through the frontal road and a far view of the mountain valley that continues to the south.

This rural village has only small-scale transformations without a trace of active development activities. This project started with the philosophical question of what kind of architectural attitude should accompany a place located amid a natural topographical flow.

UNDERGROUND ARCHITECTURE FOR TOTAL RELAXATION

We thoroughly explored the spatialization of the imagery rest that nature can provide. By burying the living space underground, we aimed to convey to the guests the energy of the earth that can be felt in underground architecture.

Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung
Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung
Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung

Fully relaxing with a day in nature while cocooned in the comfort of the solid earth facilitates personal healing and inspires the sense of being sheltered by nature.

RETURNING TO THE ORIGINAL TERRAIN

The name of this architecture means ‘hill for the rest in the earth.’ The architectural design starts with a natural and smooth connection to the ridge's flow, which descends from the mountaintop.

Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung
Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung

We had a belief that a return to the original natural topography would enhance the landscape value of the redefined architecture. This STAY appears to showcase its architectural design while also respectfully blending with nature, concealing its form.

This was the architect's intention and effort to establish a neutral and harmonious relationship between nature and architecture instead of determining which is dominant and which is secondary. The ultimate goal was to present a continuous nature flow devoid of any particular focus or emphasis.

Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung
Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung

INTENTIONAL SEQUENCE AND SPATIAL SENSITIVITY

The structure was erected first, followed by backfilling with soil. The already cleared and leveled site became a canvas on which we could create spatial scenarios freely. Upon approaching the site, one encounters a rock-like structure firmly embedded in a downhill mountain valley.

The topographic terrain has a narrow opening made by carving through the soil, and the gap is the entrance to an underground resting place. A guest who enters the closed chasm first encounters a semicircular courtyard that contains heaven, earth, and water. It reveals the identity of the place, which aims to achieve sound relaxation in nature.

Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung
Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung

After partaking in a hospitable tea service at the Courtyard Cafe, which also serves as a reception area, guests will climb the semicircular staircase to the hill seen at the beginning.

On the hill, guests face a valley descending from the top of the mountain, and they can enjoy a panoramic view of the valley flowing downward when they head to guest rooms. This makes them realize that they are in a series of mountain valleys.

Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung
Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung

The architecture seen from the hill is below the gaze, and guests descend through a narrow opening to access their rooms again. The architect aims for the entire room entry process to facilitate humans' gradual assimilation into nature through a passive shift in mindset.

COURTYARD AND MATERIALS FOR THE FIVE SENSES

Each of the six rooms features a distinct courtyard, providing a neutral space that fosters a nonconfrontational connection between the earth's energy and the relaxation space.

Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung
Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung

It provides a means to communicate with the hillside on higher levels via the staircase or an opportunity to indulge in water through the jacuzzi. Guests can fully relax in nature and engage all their senses with the presence of natural elements such as light, wind, sky, and stars.

The exposed concrete that surrounds the entire structure is expressed very roughly using patterned formwork to reduce the building's detachment from the environment.

Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung
Jijungsewon Stay
© Roh Kyung

With the intention, all the materials comprising STAY, from the stone gabion walls to the meranti plywood for the interior and furniture, as well as the mortar terrazzo floor, demonstrate a commitment to natural and textured finishes.


Jijungsewon Stay
Plan - Site
Jijungsewon Stay
Plan - Ground Floor


Jijungsewon Stay
Elevations 01
Jijungsewon Stay
Elevations 02
Jijungsewon Stay
Sections
Jijungsewon Stay
Diagram