SPACE January 2026 (No. 698)
DamDam is a compact house for a couple, their twins, and two cats, designed with solid exterior walls to ensure privacy on a small site surrounded by taller buildings. Working within the constraints imposed by the parking layout, the functions of each floor were carefully separated and circulation was precisely planned to maximise interior usability. The living room on the first floor is set at a lowered level, while a double-height window and a small garden on the east side of the structure allow the interior and exterior to flow naturally into each other. The void in front of the window promotes sectional communication between floors, and the cats often observe the family’s daily life from the second floor balustrade. The third floor houses a pair of symmetrical rooms for the twins, and the fourth floor contains the couple’s private space and a studio. The rooftop features a transparent curved mass that creates a bright and friendly atmosphere.
Overall, the building appears as if solid concrete masses are stacked to envelop the interior. On the southern side, frosted glass blocks were used to mitigate direct lines of sight, while the windows on the east and west sides gradually increase in size as they ascend, in response to the functions of each floor.
Studio SMA (Ma Seungbum) + ground architects (Kim
Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
single house
99m²
43.77m²
156.14m²
4F
1
10m
44.21%
157.72%
RC
exposed concrete, clear triple glazing
exposed concrete, painted gypsum board
YOON structural engineers
Daekwang Engineering Co., Ltd.
Space MMA
Mar. 2021 – Aug. 2024
Sep. 2024 – May 2025
706 million KRW
Park Jinhong , Choi Solku