Project Name: Mungahwaryeong

Location: Gangseo-gu, South Korea

Design Team: 100A associates

Total Floor Area: 360 m²

Completion: 2024

Photography: Jae-yoon Kim

Feature: 100A associates has created an extraordinary cultural hospitality retreat in Gangseo-gu, South Korea, founded on the idea of seamless art-architecture integration and "blank space" aesthetic philosophy. This residence is embodied in the design of curatorial programming, forming it into fluid spatial relationships to create harmonious cultural living environments, with strategically positioned architectural volumes arranged around the natural seascape landscape. The design language was derived from the fusion of traditional Korean aesthetics and contemporary art display concepts, helping root the building in its coastal context.

The project's most striking design feature lies in its revolutionary curatorial programming language that perfectly embodies ideas of artistic immersion and cultural authenticity. The living spaces are seamlessly integrated with the surrounding sea and island landscape, which allows connection between inside and out, and between human habitation and artistic environment. This elegantly poetic design is enhanced by soft textures and natural finishes, further unifying the spaces beneath and blending the building into its coastal environment.

Central to the design philosophy is the seamless integration of "Mungahwaryeong" principles - "a writing sings, a picture whispers" - and contemporary hospitality comfort. Natural ventilation is provided through the strategic dual-level positioning achieving climate-responsive design, while spatial flow is enhanced by the dissolution of traditional boundaries between accommodation and gallery realms. Extensive bamboo forest approach around the building with pristine natural setting enhances the curatorial experience, with the coastal soundscape reducing urban noise by creating a natural acoustic buffer.

Material choices honor environmental responsibility and architectural excellence. Soft textures and honest materials develop character over time in living finishes, while careful integration with the natural context meant minimal site disruption with landscape preservation providing enhanced environmental harmony. Natural lighting is maximized by large glazed openings so that artificial lighting needs are minimized, with all materials being authentic and contextually responsive, therefore environmentally responsible.

Perhaps most ingeniously, the building design is both timeless and progressive--creating spaces that feel authentically curated rather than conventionally manufactured, so the residence represents a new paradigm in hospitality living. The project represents the transformative power of cultural architecture, redefining contemporary accommodation through innovative spatial curation and environmental harmony.

Design Team - 100A associates stands as a distinguished Seoul-based architectural practice that has established an exceptional reputation in residential and hospitality design innovation. Founded by principal architects Kwang-il An and Sol-ha Park and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, under the collaborative leadership of Principals Kwang-il An and Sol-ha Park, supported by a diverse team of accomplished architects and designers.

The firm brings exceptional architectural experience with deep understanding of contextual design principles and phenomenological design strategies to the practice. The firm's design philosophy emphasizes the transformative power of "architectural blanks" - sophisticated spatial interventions, drawing inspiration from the unique character of Korean traditional aesthetics while embracing the challenges and opportunities of contemporary residential and hospitality design. Their approach is centered on collaboration--working closely with clients to craft architecture that exceeds expectations, reflects cultural authenticity, and enriches the spaces it inhabits.

The firm's architectural language is founded on the values of material sensitivity, spatial sequencing, and environmental integration, with 100A associates integrating disciplines to deliver cohesive and experientially-focused solutions. By combining architectural vision with advanced project management capabilities and a dedication to human-nature-art spatial integration, they create designs that balance beauty, function, and cultural harmony. With a practice culture grounded in collective exploration and excellence, their experienced team ensures every project is both a spatial journey and a lasting legacy--connecting people to places, and places to the cultural environment.

Through thoughtful understanding of Korean design values of harmony, sustainability, and cultural authenticity, 100A associates has established itself as a significant contributor to contemporary Korean architecture, creating architectural works including the critically acclaimed Mungahwaryeong hospitality retreat (2024), Uirim Inn (2020), and Villa Lento (2020). The practice has gained recognition for its commitment to design excellence across major architectural publications, ensuring every project is completed to the highest standard of spatial and environmental integration.