Kosomi Studio by STAY Architects: A Harmonious Blend of Memory, Art, and Modern Functionality

Located in the vibrant city of Seoul, South Korea, Kosomi Studio by STAY Architects is a masterful example of how adaptive reuse and thoughtful design can transform a personal residence into a multifunctional artistic space. Completed in 2023, this 66 m² project serves as both a home for the artist and a creative studio, while maintaining a deep connection to the building’s past.

The project, led by architects Junghee Hong and Justin Ko, with landscape design by Botanical Studio SAM, carefully balances memory and modernity. Each interior and exterior space has been meticulously redesigned to create new functionality without erasing the sentimental value of the original house. The design philosophy emphasizes a symbolic new beginning, preserving the emotional and physical context of the neighborhood while introducing contemporary elements.

Preserving Context and Street Character

From the street, Kosomi Studio maintains a warm, inviting presence that resonates with the surrounding single-family homes. Rather than imposing modern materials that could disrupt the scale and character of the street, the architects opted for wooden façade structures. This approach preserves the intimate scale of the area while reinforcing the building’s identity. The double wooden skin serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, controlling south-facing sunlight in the first-floor tea room and ensuring privacy for the second-floor studio.

A Thoughtfully Curated First-Floor Showroom

The first-floor showroom is a seamless blend of open space and functional zoning, divided into a tea room, living room, and two exhibition areas. Walls are kept to a minimum, allowing for fluid movement and a sense of openness. Material selection was critical: the main space features granite floors in a traditional Korean style, complemented by fumigated wood finishes and spray-painted textures. Artistically woven fabrics adorn the interiors, enhancing the oriental aesthetic while integrating the artist’s work into the environment. Some exposed walls and ceilings reveal traces of the building’s original structure, connecting visitors to its history.

Raw and Functional Second-Floor Studio

The second-floor studio is designed as a raw, utilitarian space, emphasizing functionality for artistic creation. Exposed walls highlight the history of the gable roof, while the old wooden floor frame was reinforced and recast with high-strength tiles suitable for intensive work. The studio is divided into specialized areas: a molding room, a dyeing room, and a sewing room, with the molding room designed as a greenhouse-type environment to accommodate drying and shaping of paper and fabrics.

A Dialogue Between Past and Present

Kosomi Studio’s interiors harmoniously blend traditional Korean materials like hanji paper and granite with contemporary design elements. The artist’s woven works punctuate the spaces, while structural features such as wooden stairs and exposed beams narrate the building’s history. This careful integration not only respects the village landscape but also showcases how adaptive reuse can create a space that is both functional and deeply expressive.

All photographs are works of Hong Kiwoong