ITCH Atelier: A Concrete House with Office Space on Baekryeonsan Mountain

Architecture That Blends Living and Working

ITCH Atelier by Atelier ITCH is a poetic manifestation of what a concrete house with office space can be when it responds to both the landscape and the rhythms of daily life. Set against the sloped backdrop of Baekryeonsan Mountain in South Korea, this 140 m² structure replaces the architect's first home-office hybrid. It now stands as a sculptural and spatial separation of life and work while preserving an integrated, holistic experience of nature, materiality, and light.

Responding to Site and Slope

The building sits within a terraced hillside neighborhood, facing west toward panoramic mountain views and the golden hour’s light. While the west opens up to nature, the east side faces a road and nearby buildings. This duality gave rise to a solid, closed facade in the front and a porous, nature-embracing rear elevation. The architectural form draws the ground-level garden into the building, visually connecting the landscape with the interiors across all levels. The result is a terraced composition that creates intimate yet expansive living and working environments.

Expressive Material Palette in Concrete and Steel

The architecture employs exposed concrete as its dominant material, chosen for its raw beauty and ability to age gracefully. To contrast and complement this smooth concrete surface, a traditional Japanese plaster technique called Kakugi-Otoshi is applied at the building’s base, adding a tactile, gravel-embedded texture that enhances shadows and visual depth.

Black steel plates at the entrances reinforce the building’s elemental character while echoing the tones of the forest and stone. These weather naturally over time, reinforcing the concept of a space that evolves with its environment. Every detail—from the placement of formwork joints to window heights aligned with furniture—reflects deliberate clarity and precision.

A Journey Through Sensory Transitions

Approaching the home-office begins with a slow, contemplative path. Visitors follow a low stone wall to a slatted gate angled for privacy. Hidden behind is a transition zone where a Vitex tree, floating stepping stones, and the sound of water offer a sensory decompression before one enters the space. Reflections of the garden ripple on walls, and the smell of the nearby forest filters through, engaging all senses in a meditative arrival sequence.

Work Space Rooted in Nature

The first-floor studio is configured with a horizontal spatial flow that stretches south to west. A long window runs parallel to the desks, visually linking staff workspaces with the outside garden. On the west, an L-shaped corner window welcomes in afternoon light. On the north, a low garden placed at desk height provides grounding and proximity to nature. Even within the workplace, the architecture encourages pause, reflection, and connection to the landscape.

A Home of Quiet Clarity

The second and third floors comprise the residential portion of the structure. Interior finishes remain achromatic and subdued—black MDF, stone-textured tiles, stainless steel, and white-painted walls. These materials were selected to minimize distraction and reflect natural light softly across spaces.

The kitchen flows effortlessly into a west-facing terrace, with cabinetry intentionally reduced to preserve views and simplicity. The corridor entry sequence separates public and private functions while maintaining openness. A corner window by the stair landing provides a framed view of the mountains and a resting place for the resident cat, adding a quiet domestic poetry.

Elevated Rest and Ritual

The third floor contains the bedroom, dressing area, and a contemplative bathroom. The bedroom is designed to absorb light and views through its western glazing, opening onto a terrace. Partial-height dressing room walls maintain spatial continuity and align with door heights and ceiling elements throughout the level.

The bathroom becomes a space of renewal. A bathtub is placed directly in front of a wide mountain-facing window, turning everyday bathing into an immersive, meditative experience. Water emerges from a spout resembling a natural spring, blending sound, sight, and ritual into one fluid moment. A circular, cocoon-like shower offers contrast—a tactile space for daily grounding.

A Concrete House with Soul

ITCH Atelier reflects a philosophy of precision, restraint, and deep connection to place. As a concrete house with office space, it transcends functional hybridity to offer a seamless, experiential architecture where work and life coexist with nature. Every detail—from grooves above windows to shadows cast by trees—serves a larger intent: to build a life not just within walls, but within light, material, sound, and landscape. The result is an elegant, grounded, and timeless home for both creation and contemplation.

All Photographs are works of Standingpoint