Architecture on a small square: ultra-compact apartment building in Busan Architecture in a small square is traditionally a popular and promising area of urban planning in Asia. In conditions of overpopulation and the acute shortage of free land plots, innovative projects for the construction of ultra-compact houses are beginning to be in special demand. One of them, developed by JMY architects, led by Jemin Yun, has a total area of 192 m2, being 5 m wide and 17 m high. 
The project embodies a fundamentally newapproach to solving the problem of lack of affordable housing in the suburbs. According to the authors of the concept, the construction of ultra-compact houses in some situations is more preferable than large-scale measures for the further development of the territories adjacent to megalopolises. The section formed during the annexation of Korea by Japan (until 1945) has a width of 5 m and a depth of 17 m. This is an elongated rectangle with one of the short sides, the northern one, resting on the pavement of a busy street. The project shows us a way to research and use the plots in the face of serious legal and physical constraints associated with the complexity of organizing parking spaces and ensuring emergency evacuation, as well as with the critical proximity of neighboring buildings. 
The building includes five floors, the lower of whichallotted for retail space. A level above the public area is equipped - a wide lobby with a separate restroom. The three upper floors are occupied by living rooms - bedrooms, studio, living room, kitchen and dining room. There is even a roof garden. Thus, we have a house in which conditions are created for the implementation of all types of activities of the average city dweller. 
The architects managed to find a place for arranging a small parking lot and design a staircase that can be used during emergency evacuation. 
It is interesting that initially before the authors of the designthe task was to reconstruct the existing commercial building. And only later the idea arose to completely rebuild the object in order to turn it into a multifunctional complex, bringing permanent income to its owners. The concept involves the merging of the urban environment with living space. 
For a 60-year-old customer, this is an opportunity to lead the way of life that he had to give up three decades ago, having moved for economic reasons to the new development area. 
Such facilities should help Koreans to adapt to the conditions of the urban environment, formed during the Japanese occupation (as perceived by the people themselves). 
The unique structure of the building provides privacy to residents and at the same time provides them with ample opportunities to interact with their immediate environment, and in particular to communicate with their neighbors. 
Local building codes are very strict, nevertheless, the architects managed to comply with them and to create an object harmonious in all respects. 
You will probably agree that this approach to the use of compact urban areas can be applied not only in Asian countries. What do you think about that?
Architecture in a small square: a project from JMY architects
