this home in korea is shaped by twin timber gables atop a concrete base
A house set between field and forest
In Hoengseong, South Korea, BRBB Architects’ Shin-Dae-Ri House is positioned between a cultivated foreground and a wooded slope, and stands as a transition from village to mountain life. Designed for an elderly couple leaving Seoul, the home reflects a shift in pace, where gardening and seasonal change guide the spatial experience.
The site extends gently upward toward the rear, with distant ridge-lines forming a layered horizon. The architects place the house close to the mountain edge, allowing the open front portion to remain available for a garden and small field. This decision establishes a clear foreground for cultivation while giving the house an elevated vantage point over the valley and stream beyond.
images © Seokgue Hong
BRBB Architects extends the terrain
Designing the home, Korea-based BRBB Architects begins with a continuous concrete base that follows the slope of the land. Cast in place, this lower level reads as a horizontal extension of the terrain, grounding the building through its weight and scale. Deep overhangs project outward, forming shaded exterior zones that temper sunlight and provide sheltered areas for rest or work.
This base operates as both structure and threshold. Its extended walls define a courtyard along the southern edge, enclosing an outdoor room that maintains privacy while admitting light. The courtyard sits slightly below the upper volumes to create a subtle sense of enclosure that contrasts with the openness of the surrounding fields.
two timber gabled volumes sit above the base with slight rotation
Timber volumes and shifting orientation
Above the concrete plinth, two timber-clad volumes rise with distinct orientations. Each takes the form of a simple gable, yet their slight rotation introduces variation in view and light. One volume opens more directly toward the valley, while the other engages the slope and trees behind. Together, they establish a dialogue between outward views and more introspective moments.
The separation between the two forms remains legible from both inside and outside. Rather than merging into a single mass, the volumes maintain their independence while sharing a common base. This arrangement allows each interior space to respond to a specific direction.
a concrete base extends horizontally and engages directly with the terrain
inside south korea’s Shin-Dae-Ri House
Inside, the transition between levels is shaped by BRBB Architects through material continuity. Birch plywood lines the stair and extends into the upper rooms, carrying a consistent tone that softens the shift from the concrete base to the timber volumes above. The stair itself becomes a place of gradual adjustment, where light enters from a high window facing the mountain.
As one moves upward, the landscape is revealed in fragments. A glimpse of trees appears along the ascent, followed by broader views once inside the upper rooms. This sequencing reinforces the relationship between movement and perception, allowing the surroundings to register through time rather than all at once.
The Shin-Dae-Ri House frames a way of living that remains closely tied to its setting. The contrast between the solid base and the lighter volumes above establishes a balance between permanence and openness, while the placement of the building supports both cultivation and retreat.
a south facing courtyard is enclosed by extended concrete walls
deep overhangs create shaded outdoor areas for rest and work
