This structure was originally built in 1974 and is located in Myeongnyun-dong, Jongno-gu, an area densely lined with red brick buildings. On this site, where layers of time have accumulated, we mark a new beginning through renovation. While respecting the existing traces as much as possible, we sought to boldly express a spirit of curiosity and experimentation. The building serves as a hybrid ground, functioning as both a studio and a residence for sukchulmok and BRBB.
sukchulmok & BRBB Archtects
The design largely preserves the exterior to match the red brick buildings and uses restrained contemporary interventions to harmonize the internal perspective toward the outside, the structural imperfections, and the building’s volumetric presence with the surrounding context. In this process, the architects introduced clay bricks echoing the original brick pattern and zinc-coated steel panels to articulate a new layer of intervention.
The interior is composed of circular masses derived from multiples and iterative values. These volumes, formed through the combination of stone, wood, and steel, each with distinct textures at times enclose structural reinforcements, at times become spatial enclosures, and at times function as furniture.
Clear reasoning determines each diameter. For example, the designers gave the street-facing ground-floor entrance a diameter that pulls the space inward to form a natural canopy because constraints prevented external installation.
The second-floor stair hall maintains a circulation radius while accommodating sufficient book storage. Under these principles, the circular gestures either form wave-like patterns or proliferate, expanding the space while functioning as furniture, walls, doors, and lighting. The layering of this consistent formal language generates a deeper and more expansive spatial experience.
The elements composing the space retain their raw surfaces while allowing for variability and transformation. The designers embedded concealment devices throughout to organize the layered aspects of daily life while leaving the materiality itself exposed. On the ground floor, the circular volume encloses structural reinforcements while functioning as upper and lower storage, a built-in element concealing HVAC systems, and a housing for lighting and speakers.
Additionally, a 3m × 2.5m void carved into the floor near the front window creates the highest ceiling height when viewed from the basement, offering a strong spatial presence. The designers conceived this space as an open platform capable of accommodating future installations, exhibitions, and various events.
The designers designed the second floor as a living space. They used okoume plywood with a pronounced grain to create a warm atmosphere, while they finished the floor with a green-toned liquid material mixed with cork, allowing it to blend naturally with the wood.
The wave-like gesture extending from the stair hall wraps around structural steel, transforming into bookshelves, a sink, and eventually expanding into the bathroom. Slightly rotated windows, adjusted to avoid direct views from adjacent buildings, secure a broader field of vision.
Rather than settling into a fixed identity, this space is intended to remain in a state of challenge and fluidity. Anticipating the many creative outcomes that will unfold here, we aim to accumulate experiences within this place over time.
Fact File
Designed by: sukchulmok & BRBB Archtects
Project Type: Residential Architecture Design
Project Name: Reinterpreting a 50-Year-Old Building in Myeongnyun-dong
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Year Built: 2026
Project Size: 2098.96 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: sukchulmok
Lead Team: BRBB Archtects
Photograph Courtesy: Hong Seokgyu
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: sukchulmok & BRBB Archtects
For Similar Project >>> This Aesthetic Courtyard House With Lush Landscape Design Offers A Calm Aura To The Users
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
SapanoUday is a contemporary residence that balances material rawness with layered textures and crafted detail, aligning modern living with cultural and spatial sensibilities. Designed by Hundreddesigns, the home responds closely to the client’s routines and artistic inclinations while thoughtfully integrating Vastu principles. HundredDesigns The designers defined the architecture through a minimal palette, using exposed concrete […]
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]