Two mirrored homes, one forested retreat. Discover how architectural elegance meets legal constraint in a design that balances privacy, connection, and the art of staying.
A Forest Retreat Built for Two
In the elevated woodlands of Yeonhwa Valley, our team was tasked with a rare challenge: to design a single-family home that could host two families—each with complete privacy. The clients, a couple who lead a mid-sized company, envisioned a weekend escape that could also welcome their employees for restful stays.
Navigating Legal Boundaries
The site, composed of two plots with a 3-meter elevation difference, lies within a protected watershed zone. Local regulations prohibited multi-unit housing, forcing us to rethink how two independent living spaces could coexist under one legal roof.
Architectural Response
We designed two identical volumes—mirrored in form and staggered in elevation—connected by a central two-story reception hall. This hall acts as both a visual anchor and a spatial buffer, allowing each family to inhabit their own domain while sharing a unified architectural language.
The Cloister: Where Light Lingers
A defining feature of the home is the cloister—a series of arches that wrap around the courtyard. These arches do more than connect rooms; they invite pause. Sunlight filters through at midday, casting soft shadows and creating a rhythm of stillness throughout the day.
Indoor Meets Outdoor
Each room opens onto a wooden porch, extending the calm of the interior into nature. Adjacent soaking tubs offer a meditative experience, while the arches frame views of distant mountains and curated gardens, making the landscape part of the architecture.
Spaces for Gathering
Beyond the private quarters, shared spaces foster connection. A tea pavilion on the upper terrace and a fire pit on the lower garden level offer moments of warmth, storytelling, and reflection. These are places where memories are made—and where the architecture encourages return.
Elegance in Purpose
This forest retreat is more than a house. It’s a sanctuary designed for presence, separation, and the joy of return. In a world that moves fast, it offers a reason to pause—and perhaps, to stay again.
