DRAWING WORKS, a Seoul-based architecture studio, has completed One House 2, a compact residential project that reimagines urban living for single occupants in South Korea's capital city. Located at a prominent three-way intersection in Gusan-dong, the innovative design demonstrates how small-scale architecture can successfully adapt existing structures to meet contemporary housing needs in dense urban environments.
The project represents the studio's continued exploration of single-person housing solutions, building upon their earlier work in Yeongdong that featured a similar compact dwelling within a natural landscape setting. This second iteration takes the concept into Seoul's densely populated urban core, addressing the growing demand for efficient, affordable housing for single residents in major metropolitan areas.
The two-story residence maximizes functionality within a remarkably compact footprint, with each floor measuring approximately 21 square meters (226 square feet). The renovation process involved significant structural modifications, including the demolition of an existing external staircase to create space for a new parking area and ground-level entrance. A carefully engineered steel frame system ensures structural stability while providing flexibility in the reconfigured layout.
The interior design emphasizes clear circulation patterns and efficient space utilization throughout the compact volume. The ground floor connects essential functions including parking, entrance, kitchen, and staircase in a logical sequence that flows seamlessly upward to the living areas. On the second floor, the architects created varied spatial experiences by thoughtfully arranging the relationship between the main room, an outdoor terrace, and rooftop access, providing residents with multiple environments despite the limited square footage.
Environmental performance played a crucial role in the design strategy, with the architects making deliberate decisions about window placement to optimize energy efficiency. South-facing openings were strategically positioned to maximize natural daylight throughout the day, while north-facing windows were minimized to reduce heat loss during colder months. These carefully calculated decisions demonstrate how thoughtful design can balance occupant comfort with energy efficiency in small-scale residential projects.
The building's exterior design responds thoughtfully to its highly visible location, with exposure on three sides due to its corner position at the intersection. Rather than competing with surrounding structures through dramatic gestures, the design adopts a restrained architectural presence that integrates harmoniously with the existing urban fabric. The facade features corrugated steel cladding, a material choice driven by both durability requirements and economic considerations.
The architects achieved visual interest and architectural depth through an innovative approach to the steel cladding system. By layering three different off-the-shelf corrugated steel patterns, the elevation creates depth and textural variation without requiring additional decorative elements or costly custom materials. This material strategy exemplifies how modest yet thoughtful interventions can enrich the dialogue between a building and its urban context while maintaining budget consciousness.
Photography by Yoon Joonhwan captures the project's successful integration into Seoul's urban landscape, highlighting how the building's modest scale and material choices allow it to contribute positively to the streetscape rather than dominating it. The images reveal how the layered steel facade creates subtle shadows and visual interest throughout different times of day.
One House 2 by DRAWING WORKS represents a significant contribution to discussions about the future of urban housing in rapidly densifying cities. Through its compact yet highly adaptable design approach, the project demonstrates how careful planning, material economy, and subtle architectural reconfiguration can produce residential solutions that are simultaneously efficient and responsive to their urban context. The success of this project suggests promising directions for addressing the growing need for affordable, well-designed single-person housing in major metropolitan areas worldwide.
