Hillmaru Country Club by YKH Associates: A Harmonious Fusion of Luxury, Tradition, and Performance in Pocheon-si, South Korea

Nestled within the lush rural landscapes of Pocheon-si, South Korea, the Hillmaru Country Club is a stunning architectural statement that redefines the traditional clubhouse typology. Designed by YKH Associates, this 2,866 m² hospitality facility supports one of the region’s most ambitious golf complexes — a 700-acre expanse featuring a 54-hole championship golf course. Completed in 2022, the project brings together environmental sensitivity, spatial efficiency, and traditional Korean aesthetics to deliver a truly world-class experience.

A Clubhouse Designed for Function and Flow

The country club is more than just a gathering space; it is a meticulously orchestrated hub supporting the daily operations of a vast athletic campus. The client's brief required over 1,000 private lockers, 200 electric cart storage bays, and a restaurant with a seating capacity of 300 guests, all seamlessly integrated into a cohesive architectural experience.

To achieve this, the designers implemented zoning strategies that divide the building into distinct yet fluidly connected spaces. The central lobby acts as an organizing axis, efficiently separating the restaurant, administrative offices, and locker room zones. The locker facilities themselves are subdivided for standard members, VIPs, and exclusive VIPs, each with access to their own recovery areas, hot tubs, and ice baths, offering panoramic views of the golf course.

Flexible Spatial Planning and Efficient Circulation

The internal layout is engineered for maximum adaptability. Locker widths were standardized at 500mm — wider than average — providing enhanced comfort. A portion of the second-floor female locker area can also be converted into male locker spaces, demonstrating flexible, gender-responsive planning. Circulation paths for visitors, staff, and maintenance personnel are clearly delineated, with underground cart storage ensuring minimal visual and spatial disruption to users.

Inspired by Tradition: A Whale in Flight

At the heart of Hillmaru’s visual identity is its iconic glulam wood roof structure, fabricated by Blumer-Lehmann, which evokes the elegant motion of a whale soaring through the sky. This design draws from Korea’s rich architectural heritage — particularly the ‘Seokkalae’ (rafter) style from traditional Hanok houses. Extending 3 meters beyond the façade, the roof overhangs echo historic eaves while also functioning as a modern shading element.

Constructed using a hybrid of glulam wood, concrete, and steel, the structural system offers strength, seismic stability, and a reduced construction timeline. The cantilevered canopy, which shelters four vehicle drop-off lanes, exemplifies how form and function can coexist beautifully in contemporary architecture.

Materiality and Detail: Blending Stone, Wood, and Light

The building’s palette emphasizes earthy warmth and craftsmanship. The exterior walls are clad in golden yellow granite with a rock-face finish, assembled using an open-jointed technique for refined articulation. Internally, laminated wooden beams, exposed rafters, and carefully placed openings emphasize texture, structure, and daylight. The second-floor locker areas are left visually open to highlight the sweeping interior form of the roof.

A glass curtain wall façade supports the illusion of a roof hovering delicately above the base. At night, the structure takes on a poetic presence as interior lights radiate through the wood beams, casting intricate shadows and revealing the elegant curvature of the ceiling.

All Photographs are works of Jeonggyu Lee, Dongwook Jung - Time of Blue