Korean architecture firm DRAWING WORKS has completed One House 2, a 42-square-meter residential project in Eunpyeong District, South Korea, that demonstrates how thoughtful design can maximize functionality in small urban spaces. The 2024 project, led by JinJu Seok with design team member Hyunji Seo, showcases innovative approaches to compact living through strategic spatial reconfiguration and material selection.
The building's spatial flow was completely reimagined by demolishing the existing exterior staircase and converting the ground floor into a parking area and main entrance. This transformation created new circulation routes connecting the parking lot, entrance, kitchen, and internal staircase, all simplified to facilitate natural movement toward the upper floors. The architects prioritized practical needs while maintaining spatial efficiency through the introduction of a steel frame structure that ensures both structural stability and optimal use of limited space.
On the second floor, the strategic arrangement between the room, terrace, and rooftop allows residents to enjoy a variety of spaces despite the compact footprint. The design maximizes natural light through actively placed windows on the south elevation, while north-facing openings are minimized to improve energy performance. This approach demonstrates the architects' commitment to both comfort and sustainability in small-scale residential design.
Positioned at the corner of a three-way intersection, the house is exposed on three sides, making its presence particularly prominent within the urban fabric. Rather than competing aggressively with its surroundings, the design takes advantage of this geographical condition by blending into the surrounding landscape while assuming a symbolic role within the city's flow. The architects focused on creating what they term 'quiet architecture born in an urban gap.'
The exterior design eschews excessive decoration, instead focusing on the interplay of material textures and forms. Corrugated steel, chosen for its durability and economy, serves as the primary cladding material. By combining three off-the-shelf steel patterns, the elevation gains depth and rhythmic variation, proving that even small-scale architecture can actively and sensitively respond to its urban context without requiring expensive custom materials.
This project in Gusan-dong explores how small-scale residential architecture can achieve both functionality and aesthetic quality in urban centers, moving beyond conventional notions of home remodeling. The architects sought to demonstrate how minor yet thoughtful interventions can adapt existing structures to contemporary lifestyles without erasing their original character or requiring complete demolition and reconstruction.
The project ultimately proves that a 'small house' need not be synonymous with confinement or compromise. Through careful design consideration and fresh perspective, compact residential spaces can offer flexible, pleasant living environments that meet modern lifestyle demands. The architects believe such small architectural gestures have the potential to infuse new vitality into urban areas, inviting residents and city planners to imagine alternative paradigms for urban residential life that prioritize efficiency without sacrificing livability.
