Architectural Cases

The "Seoul Wing" initiative by BKID revolutionizes urban park infrastructure with a line of inventive sunshades. These installations are engineered to provide resilient protection against the intense summer humidity and unpredictable typhoons common in Seoul. Their design, which mirrors the aerodynamic form of a bird's wing with a distinctive sloping roof, utilizes polyurethane mesh. This material choice imbues the structures with both a light profile and exceptional durability. Traditional shade solutions often succumb to high winds, but the Seoul Wing stands apart by adopting principles of biomimicry. Just as natural wings flex and diffuse aerodynamic forces, these sunshades are built to withstand adverse weather, offering a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution for public spaces.

The deployment of the Seoul Wing in various city parks, including the Battleship Park, Botanic Park, and the dog-friendly zone at Olympic Park, showcases its versatility and effectiveness. These locations now benefit from a shelter system that not only offers respite from the sun and storms but also enhances the visual landscape with its dynamic, curved contours. This project transcends mere utility, addressing the growing need for robust public amenities in dense urban environments where natural shade elements, like trees, may be scarce. BKID's vision extends to creating communal spaces where families and groups can gather comfortably, shielded from environmental extremes, thereby enriching the urban experience.

Resilient Design for Urban Comfort

The innovative Seoul Wing sunshades, developed by BKID, provide a crucial amenity for Seoul's urban parks, addressing the city's challenging weather conditions. These structures are ingeniously designed to offer protection against the intense summer heat and humidity, as well as the sudden storms and typhoons that frequently impact the region. By moving beyond the limitations of traditional parasols and tents, which often fail under severe weather, the Seoul Wing incorporates a bird-wing-inspired form and utilizes advanced materials to ensure stability and longevity. This thoughtful design allows urban dwellers to enjoy public green spaces more comfortably and safely, even during inclement weather, enhancing the overall quality of city life.

The core of the Seoul Wing's resilience lies in its biomimetic approach, where the design mimics the natural world's ability to adapt and endure. The sloped roof and flexible polyurethane mesh construction are key to its resistance against high winds and heavy precipitation. The mesh material specifically reduces wind load by allowing air to pass through, preventing the sunshades from acting as rigid barriers that would otherwise be vulnerable to collapse. This lightweight yet robust design also simplifies the logistics of assembly and transportation, making these versatile shelters a practical solution for various park settings. Furthermore, the material's inherent resistance to degradation from rain, humidity, and UV light ensures that the Seoul Wing maintains its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal over time, providing a sustainable and long-term asset for public use.

Enhanced Public Spaces Through Innovative Structure

The Seoul Wing sunshades by BKID significantly improve the functionality and aesthetic appeal of public parks in Seoul. Their design prioritizes the creation of expansive shaded areas capable of accommodating groups of ten or more, fostering communal activities such as family picnics and social gatherings. This approach contrasts sharply with smaller, individual shade solutions, emphasizing collective enjoyment and utility. Beyond their practical benefits, the sunshades introduce a dynamic visual element to the urban landscape. Their kinetic silhouette, defined by elegant curved surfaces and taut tensile lines, offers a striking counterpoint to the surrounding greenery, adding a modern artistic touch to traditional park environments.

The strategic deployment of the Seoul Wing across prominent locations like Battleship Park, Botanic Park, and the Olympic Park's dog playground illustrates its potential to redefine urban shade provisions. In cities where natural shade from trees and other vegetation is increasingly diminished, these artificial structures become indispensable for creating comfortable outdoor living spaces. The design not only provides essential protection from harsh elements but also serves as a testament to how innovative architectural solutions can blend seamlessly with natural surroundings. By offering fields of shade and robust shelter, the Seoul Wing empowers residents to engage more with their city's green spaces, contributing to a more vibrant and livable urban fabric. This project highlights a forward-thinking approach to urban planning, where design and nature converge to meet the evolving needs of city dwellers.

Where Earth Meets Art: Crafting Life in Kamakura's Landscape

A Harmonious Dwelling Inspired by Nature and Craft in Kamakura

Perched above a scenic valley in Kamakura, Japan, the Haniyasu House by AATISMO stands as a testament to architecture's ability to respond to its surroundings. This dwelling is intimately connected to the area's geological and cultural essence, characterized by ancient cave tombs carved into earthen cliffs. The design strategy adopted by AATISMO involves a low-lying, grounded profile that respectfully follows the natural contours of the land, maintaining a profound connection with the earth and stone, thereby blending into its unique context rather than dominating it.

An Integrated Space for Art and Life

Conceived by the architects for themselves and their parents, both accomplished ceramic artists, this renovated home uniquely supports two generations whose existence revolves around clay. The design prioritizes the integration of domestic life with artistic production. Workspaces, living areas, and outdoor zones are intricately linked, allowing activities like pottery firing, glazing, cooking, and relaxation to occur within an expansive, open layout, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among the residents.

Transforming a Vintage Structure into a Modern Sanctuary

The journey of the Haniyasu House began with a modest wooden structure erected in 1967. AATISMO's renovation involved a complete stripping of interior walls and ceilings, transforming the fragmented space into a unified volume. This open core now directly engages with the surrounding garden and the vast sky. Within this expanded central area, new rooms have been strategically placed at each of the four corners. These additions, with their compact and substantial forms, evoke the image of earthen masses emerging from the ground, shaping the overall composition to resemble a miniature village gathered around a communal hub.

The Heart of the Home: A Communal Gathering Place

This central area functions as a vibrant plaza for communal activities, where family meals, conversations, and daily chores unfold. Movement flows effortlessly across the floor, offering expansive views from one corner to another. Throughout the day, the interplay of light and shadow highlights the intricate textures of plaster, soil, and timber, creating a calm and tactile atmosphere. The open layout ensures that the sounds of daily life and creative work gently permeate the entire space, fostering a lively yet serene environment.

Private Havens for Creativity and Rest

Each of the four organically shaped corner additions within the Haniyasu House by AATISMO serves as a private, intimate room, reminiscent of a cave, dedicated to sleeping and working. For instance, the father's studio, located in the northwest, is distinguished by its deep brown hues, derived from soil sourced directly from the site. This zone is thoughtfully designed to accommodate the entire ceramic creation process, with a kiln and an outdoor glazing area situated conveniently nearby, ensuring that tools, clay, and finished pieces are always within easy reach. The mother's room, on the other hand, presents a lighter aesthetic, featuring finishes of lime mixed with bisque-fired clay, complete with built-in cabinetry and discreet underfloor storage. The architects' own space, the largest of these volumes, boasts lowered earthen floors and cantilevered desks, perfectly suited for showcasing their furniture and lighting designs. Additionally, a versatile guest room doubles as a tranquil tea room, appointed with tatami mats, a traditional tokonoma alcove, walls rich in clay infused with bamboo charcoal, and bathed in soft, natural daylight from above.

Innovative Material Use and Sustainable Craftsmanship

The construction process of the Haniyasu House was deeply informed by a spirit of material experimentation. Soil extracted directly from the site, alongside discarded clay from the pottery studio, underwent a meticulous process of crushing, firing, glazing, and repeated testing. The exterior walls are layered with this site-specific soil and bisque-fired clay, combined with plaster that incorporates iron and copper powders. This unique composition allows for a gradual alteration in color through oxidation, causing the surfaces to deepen and shift with the changing weather and passage of time. Furthermore, these four corner volumes are not merely aesthetic elements; they also function as crucial seismic reinforcements. By concentrating shear walls within new foundations, the original columns supporting the tiled roof are preserved, blending structural integrity with artistic expression.