GAONJAI BY IROJE KHM ARCHITECTS

A Korean residence with cultural character

How do you get a little green in your life if you live in an urban setting? If you’re the owners of the GaOnJai house in South Korea, you create your own private forest! Okay, we’re exaggerating a bit, but their Korean-style inner courtyard (Madang) is pretty much its own tiny, green universe. Indeed, IROJE KHM Architects created a microcosm with enough spatial and visual intrigue to remain interesting over time. The residence privileges very specific elements of Korean culture, including the Madang, but also the cantilevered roof (Cheoma) and the architectural style (Ru) that is designed to drink in the views. With a combination of cultural tradition and modern elements, GaOnJai is definitely a rare space with its own identity.