JYA-rchitects constructs shared sillim-dong house for female residents in seoul

‘sillim-dong’ is a shared house located in a densely populated urban area of seoul in south korea. designed by JYA-rchitects, the building provides comfortable living accommodation for ten female residents. the design team sought to create a dwelling whose architecture offered spacious communal areas — such as the kitchen, dining, and living rooms. consequently, the home provides its occupants with amenities they would not otherwise be able to afford in central seoul.

as the site is surrounded by other buildings, JYA-rchitects chose to position the common areas of the home at one of the structure’s brightly lit upper storeys — providing sweeping views across the neighborhood, and towards a nearby mountain. this is in contrast to other shared homes in korea, where such spaces are situated at ground level. the high-ceilinged kitchen offers personal storage space and a dining area with a hardwood table. half a level lower, a comfortable lounge includes a wide window, while a more private area allows residents to watch movies, chat together, or share hobbies.

internally, corridors have been eliminated as much as possible, ensuring that the available floor space is maximized around a centrally positioned stairwell. each storey has its own bathroom and washing machine, with a built-in closet found within each unit. there is further storage space at ground level for larger items, while communal areas offer additional areas for smaller objects. externally, the architects wanted the reinforced concrete building to embody a refined image of simplicity in a neighborhood already filled with disordered buildings and complex signs.