Omnibus House by SON-A: Living Through Landscapes in Yangpyeong, South Korea

Perched on a scenic hillside in Yangpyeong-gun, just outside Seoul, the Omnibus House by SON-A is an architectural meditation on the relationship between domestic life and landscape. With a modest footprint of 283 m², this innovative residence transforms into a dynamic sequence of six distinct gardens, each acting as its own “outdoor room.” Rather than a singular architectural mass, the home unfolds as a constellation of living spaces shaped by topography, views, and light.

Gardens as Rooms, Walls as Frames

The house is defined by its gardens—not the other way around. Each of the six outdoor spaces is shaped by carefully positioned brick walls, designed to respond to both the natural context and the programmatic needs of the inhabitants. These garden-rooms include:

• Main Garden: Facing the river, this is the heart of the house—ideal for social gatherings and views.
• Lobby Garden: A quiet, tree-shaded entrance zone, offering a moment of repose.
• Fitness Garden: Oriented towards the forest, this space invites yoga and wellness.
• Secret Garden: Nestled against the hill, hidden from view—private and meditative.
• Play Garden: A safe, open area for children to explore.
• Backyard Garden: A utility-oriented space for functional outdoor tasks.

These gardens aren’t accessories—they are primary generators of spatial logic, determining the orientation, flow, and form of the entire house.

Brick, Light, and Texture

The façade features custom-designed curving brick walls, where single-size bricks are cut and angled to create unique light and shadow effects in each courtyard. These intricately patterned walls consider solar orientation, enhancing the seasonal usability of each space.

This architectural skin also lends identity to each courtyard—helping them feel distinct, immersive, and purposeful. Brick, as a material, serves not only as an enclosure but as a storytelling element—a canvas that captures time, light, and human interaction.

Interior as a Connector, Not a Core

In contrast to traditional homes where the interior dominates, the Omnibus House treats its interior as a connector—a backstage corridor weaving together the gardens. The central living areas occupy the leftover linear spaces between gardens, creating a fluid, low-key atmosphere. This layout invites residents to live across both interior and exterior environments, letting life unfold across the changing weather, time of day, and seasons.

Context-Sensitive Living

The site’s topography and natural views—river, forest, meadow, and neighboring gardens—influenced every design move. By using walls as framing devices, SON-A crafts a cinematic sequence of vistas, celebrating the beauty of everyday nature. The architecture recedes, allowing the landscape to take center stage.

All thr photographs are works of Bojune Kwon