Seoeunjae House by PLS Architects: A Sculptural Family Retreat in Gyeongju’s Serene Countryside

Nestled in a tranquil village near the historic Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, Seoeunjae House by PLS Architects offers a peaceful family-oriented retreat surrounded by the calm rhythms of rural life. Completed in 2021 and spanning 189 m², the project reimagines the modern countryside getaway through thoughtful spatial design, sculptural architecture, and a strong connection to water and landscape.

Named by a father after his three children: Seoyoung, Eunjae, and Sunjae: Seoeunjae House was conceived as a nurturing sanctuary where families can bond, children can explore freely, and visitors can rediscover the gentle beauty of Korea’s rural scenery. For children raised in urban areas, the space offers a refreshing immersion into nature, imagination, and outdoor play.

Design Goals and Architectural Challenge

The client envisioned a residence unlike the many new stays emerging across Gyeongju: distinctive, meaningful, and shaped by architectural creativity. The site presented two primary challenges:

1. An irregular plot configuration, and
2. An ordinary, modest rural environment.

PLS Architects transformed these constraints into opportunities, using the landscape, privacy requirements, and circulation to craft a differentiated architectural experience.

Sculptural Design with Selective Landscape Framing

To create a sense of refuge, the architects enclosed the entire site with a boundary wall, establishing a private world separate from the surrounding farmland. Within this protected envelope, three buildings, each oriented toward unique countryside views, are positioned around a central water feature.

Visitors first pass through a welcoming entry space before reaching ‘Seojae’ and ‘Eunjae’, the main residential volumes. Carefully positioned exterior walls shape curated pathways, offering selective glimpses of the village landscape and inviting guests to explore at a relaxed pace.

• Seojae adopts an L-shaped plan, designed as a continuous and visually connected living environment.
• Eunjae follows a linear configuration, comfortably accommodating two families while maintaining privacy and openness.

Through shifts in form, angles, and height, the buildings create a sculptural architectural expression where structural walls, circulation paths, and framed views work together to produce a dynamic spatial rhythm.

A Transformative Water-Centric Spatial Experience

Water plays a central role in the architectural atmosphere of Seoeunjae. PLS Architects designed an all-encompassing circulating water system that connects the spaces emotionally and visually. The shimmering surface acts as a mirror to the landscape, enhancing the interplay of light, sky, and natural surroundings.

At the heart of both Seojae and Eunjae sits an 8 × 5.5-meter swimming pool, radiating a sapphire glow throughout the day. This pool functions as both a recreational zone and a visual anchor.

• A pergola system provides year-round usability, creating a warm, sunroom-like environment in cooler seasons.
• When fully opened, the pool area extends outward with expansive views, dissolving the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.

Adjacent water features unify the buildings and landscape, allowing the entire site to function as one interconnected spatial continuum with shifting and diverse perspectives.

Revitalizing Rural Village Life Through Sensitive Design

Seoeunjae House is designed not only for guests but also for the community it resides in. PLS Architects envisioned a retreat that balances visitor enjoyment with local harmony, a place where families can relax without disrupting the daily lives of village residents.

The architects aimed to create a warm, cozy sanctuary where:

• Children’s laughter enlivens the site,
• Water becomes a catalyst for play and relaxation, and
• Rural life is respected and enhanced rather than disturbed.

Through careful planning, natural materiality, and immersive spatial design, Seoeunjae House aspires to revitalize the rural landscape, nurturing a sense of coexistence between locals, visitors, and nature.

Seoeunjae House stands as a thoughtful example of contemporary Korean countryside architecture, where sculptural form, water-led design, and family-centered living come together to redefine the rural retreat. PLS Architects successfully transformed site constraints into a poetic spatial narrative, creating a destination that celebrates tranquility, imagination, and the subtle charm of Gyeongju’s countryside.

All photographs are works of Joonhwan Yoon