Underground House in Seoul
Architect Byoung Soo Cho’s Earth House is quite possibly one of the classiest dugouts ever built. Set amid peaceful woods and rice fields an hour east of Seoul, Korea, the subterranean structure consists of six tiny unadorned rooms (kitchen, library, two bedrooms, and a bathroom) and a 23-by-23-foot courtyard. Cho describes the house, dedicated to Korean poet Dong-joo Yoon, as a place for self-reflection. He says the concept goes back to his 1991 graduate thesis at Harvard, where he began exploring Taoist ideas about negative and positive space, and the question of just how much (or little) space we need in order to live comfortably. Sixteen years and several unsuccessful attempts at selling an underground house later, Cho finally decided to build one for himself. Earth House was completed in February 2009 on a lot down the road from Cho’s more conventional vacation home, the square-shaped Concrete Box House. He currently uses the Earth House for weekend gatherings and stargazing.
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Seoul, South Korea
When Seoul architect Byoung-soo Cho set out to design his urban dream house, he turned to the city’s architectural history for inspiration. The result—–four overlapping boxes…
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Beautiful. Lovely.
A lovely, reverential place, made from the heart; you can feel into it--the dwelling--living it's own life
Lovely..I agree it is built from the heart! I would have love to have seen more of the interior,though.
Some thing on the land..between the light of sky and the light of underground...
looks like light cube... of ???dimension....
can feel many different light .. and so chic with the shadow of a lamp over the wall
Hate to be the only negative comment, and I love the concept; however, this seems to be the most uncomfortable home I have ever seen.
I find it interesting and compelling. I do wonder how many deer have tumbled into the home so far.
Innovative and interesting - love it (though I have many questions). The only thing missing is a blue print or some drawings. If Dwell had those I'd keep my print subscription.
Definitely an original concept.
While I love the concept, I'll have to agree with Mr. Fisher; this house looks like a SWAT training facility. I love the simplicity of Taoism, but I think he went too far in sanitizing the space of emotion and life.
Ah to escape the concrete jungle of the city to the great outdoors; only to view concrete walls? perhaps on a hill, with just one big window, with a view?
And what is the R value of concrete?
A foundation waiting for structure atop.
simply excelent.
Overall i think this is interesting, but not really innovative. Perhaps if he sold the idea as a bomb shelter (especially with the proximity to North Korea) he will have more opportunities to perfect his idea.
This home reminds me of the style of home Luke Skywalker's Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru owned: the Lar's family homestead - A moisture farm, to harvest moisture on an Arrid planet Tatooine!
Technically, it is not his 'house' . It is more like a 'gathering space' for reciding poety etc. His house is only few steps away from this structure.
it 's greate i 'm motivated as student architect
I enjoyed the concept also, but I think he has lost too much of the practical side with the tiny rooms and small doors. If done a little differently this could actually be an attractive and livable concept for many people. Underground living has the advantage of cheaper energy costs and can preserve more surface environment/forests.
Two questions- why isn't the concrete top covered in greenery and why are the doors only 4' high?
Feels pretty much like a student project becoming real and getting built, interesting concept except it would probably be more successful if this is not a house but a house for the dead; a tomb that honors the dead poet. Project feels too dead for me to be a house...unless the purpose of the house is to force you psychologically into the wildlands beyond
I designed an underground house in grade school. They're a good idea; well insulated and space-saving. I think mine was better though.
Concept-wise it does come off as rather strained and juvenile. Clean and minimalistic, sure, but it just looks really introspective, unwelcoming (even to a single person) and.... well. Brutish.
I feel Harmony with nature,and Korea emotions... I love it!!!
How desperate this architect must be in order to be noticed. Ugh. Living underground is for Prairie Dogs and people who are escaping persecution. Give me a horizon!
Interesting concept, worst home ever for a flood/raking/removing snow/zombie apocalypse. Too little functionality to be a practical application concept.
Here we would call it : ....an " Unfinished Basement " !
I can see kids with a ball having fun in the courtyard :)
hmmm..I like the minimal concept but it is difficult to see a connection with nature loving Taoism..rather like a living space at the bottom of an empty pool..I would have liked to see his actual home where he lives...
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