Teummak Open Hut by one-aftr: Redefining Urban Openness in Hwaseong-si

Nestled in an empty lot surrounded by apartment blocks in Hwaseong-si, South Korea, Teummak Open Hut by one-aftr reimagines the concept of urban shelter. Covering 70 m² and completed in 2025, this pavilion challenges traditional notions of architecture by prioritizing openness and natural engagement over enclosure and isolation. Photographed by Jang Mi and Mihyun Son, Teummak showcases a delicate balance between the built environment and the natural landscape.

The term “Teummak” is derived from two Korean words: “teum” meaning gap, and “mak”, an ancient hut. Historically, a mak represents one of humanity’s earliest forms of shelter—a simple structure with a roof and ground, often without walls, fully responsive to its surroundings. In contrast, modern urban design often ignores environmental context, creating dense, disconnected spaces. Teummak addresses this by creating a gap within the city, a place where natural elements like wind, light, soil, and trees can be directly experienced.

Unlike conventional shelters, Teummak does not aim to enclose or protect. Instead, it establishes a suspended space where visitors can reconnect with the existing environment. Its design encourages reflection and observation, inviting people to appreciate what is already present rather than seeking artificial additions.

The pavilion’s structure is anchored by the existing on-site trees, with a floating roof that creates a soft, dome-like canopy. The material palette—including wood, metal, mesh, and acrylic panels—is carefully selected to subtly filter views of the surrounding city, establishing a permeable refuge that blurs the boundary between architecture and nature. This thoughtful composition provides a gentle, immersive experience, offering city dwellers a rare moment of quiet attunement in the urban fabric.

Teummak Open Hut exemplifies a new approach to urban design: one that prioritizes openness, natural integration, and human experience. By bridging the gap between the built environment and the living landscape, it creates a meaningful interaction with nature within a dense cityscape, redefining how contemporary urban spaces can coexist with their natural context.

All photographs are works of Jang Mi, Mihyun Son