SPACE September 2024 (No. 682)
This plot, which is located in a narrow alleyway inaccessible to cars, is located on a slope with neighbouring buildings encroaching on its boundaries. It is narrow in width, small in area, and receives little sunlight. The site for Gyeongni Stair Street was confronted with these unfavourable conditions. In spite of these challenges, we focused on the concept of a ‘path’ in order to enhance the architectural value of the project.
Itaewon’s Alleyways
The site is located on Gyeongnidan Street in Itaewon; more specifically in the upper neighbourhood. After spending some time climbing the stairs leading up the alleyway, you reach a point where you can see Namsan Mountain and the surrounding neighbourhood. There are paths and retaining walls that locals use carefully, as well as stairs. The stairway we designed connects the isolated hillside with the ambiguous boundaries of the existing neighbourhood, extending the roof space and alleyway while redefining the conventional notion of stairs.
However, even with the unique character of Itaewon alleyways, and their diversity, building regulations remain strict. The Building Act defines a ‘road’ as a path ‘at least 4m width for pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic’, and a ‘site’ must be at least 2m adjacent to such a road. Thi...
YOAP architects Ltd. (Ryoo Inkeun, Kim Doran, Jeo
Hong Yujin, Lee Changju, Kim Hoseong, Kim Gayoung
3-17, Hoenamu-ro 12-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea
neighbourhood living facility
70.28m²
41.41m²
140.14m²
5F
17.48m
58.92%
199.4%
RC
striped concrete, terracotta tile
water paint
HANGIL structural engineering
GM EMC
DOW ENC
June 2022 – Mar. 2023
Mar. – Aug. 2023
ANA Co., Ltd. (Lee Miran)
known as Studio BBeum at 2012. She co-founded designband YOAP at 2013.