Architecture in a small area:Ultra-compact residential building in Busan Architecture in a small area is a traditionally popular and promising direction of urban development in Asian countries. In conditions of overpopulation and an acute shortage of free land, innovative projects for the construction of ultra-compact houses are beginning to enjoy special demand. One of them, developed by specialists from the JMY architects company headed by Jaemin Yoon, has a total area of 192 m2, being 5 m wide and 17 m high.
The project represents a fundamentally newapproach to solving the problem of the lack of affordable housing in the suburbs. According to the authors of the concept, the construction of ultra-compact houses in a number of situations is more preferable than large-scale events for the further development of territories adjacent to megacities. The site, formed during the annexation of Korea by Japan (before 1945), is 5 m wide and 17 m deep. It is an elongated rectangle, one of the short sides of which - the northern one - rests on the sidewalk of a busy street. The project demonstrates a way to study and use sites under serious legal and physical restrictions associated with the complexity of organizing parking spaces and ensuring emergency evacuation, as well as with the critical proximity of neighboring buildings.
The building has five floors, the lower onewhich is allocated for commercial space. The public area is arranged on the level above - a wide vestibule with a separate restroom. The three upper floors are occupied by living quarters - bedrooms, a studio, a living room, a kitchen and a dining room. There is even a roof garden. Thus, before us is a house in which conditions have been created for carrying out all types of activities of the average city dweller.
The architects managed to find a place to create a small parking lot and design a staircase that could be used during an emergency evacuation.
It is interesting that the authors were initially faced withThe design task was to reconstruct an existing commercial building. And only later did the idea arise to completely rebuild the building to turn it into a multifunctional complex that would bring in a constant income to its owners. The concept involves merging the urban environment with the living space.
For the 60-year-old customer, this is an opportunity to lead a lifestyle that he was forced to give up three decades ago when he moved to a new development area for economic reasons.
Such structures are intended to help Koreans adapt to the urban environment that was created during the Japanese occupation (as perceived by the country's residents themselves).
The unique structure of the building ensures privacy for the inhabitants and at the same time provides them with ample opportunities for interaction with their immediate surroundings, and in particular communication with their neighbors.
Local building codes are very strict, but the architects managed to comply with them and create a harmonious structure in all respects.
You will probably agree that this approach to using compact urban areas can be applied not only in Asian countries. What do you think about this?
Architecture in a small square: a project from JMY architects
