Tiny Forest in Seoul, designed by YounghanChung Architects, offers a small, personalized space for work and relaxation.
Located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, this flexible workspace was designed by YounghanChung Architects to "eliminate unnecessary space as much as possible". Called Tiny Forest, the two-story building was built for a retired university lecturer who needed a separate space outside his own home. The structure, which will function both as a workspace and an intimate setting for entertaining guests, is inspired by the "sarangbang" found in traditional Korean homes. This part of the house used to be used as a space for men to receive guests and for their hobbies.
The spaces that were once used as hobby areas or study rooms have gradually lost their original function and meaning within the house over time," says Younghan Chung. "However, the desire to escape from home and experience a microcosm for oneself is an eternal quest for all of us living in modern times. That's why this building was designed to create a personalized little room.
Tiny Forest comprises two cubes stacked atop each other, with the upper cube slightly rotated, lending the building a stylish sense of movement. Both cubes are supported by a steel structure and covered in white corrugated metal panels. Designed to foster a sense of openness and flexibility, both floors of the building are conceived as a 'single space', minimizing connections and relationships to avoid dictating a particular use.
The steel structure on the ground floor remains exposed and is painted white. The ground floor also features a large window behind the wood-lined facade. On the upper floor, the wood-lined area imparts a warmer ambiance, complemented by a built-in table and bookshelves along the wall, creating a minimalistic atmosphere. A window in the northwest corner offers a picturesque view of Inwangsan mountain. An external spiral staircase made of black steel at the rear of the building connects the two floors, while another staircase on the west side of the upper level leads to a tranquil rooftop garden.
