SANGDO1-DONG SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER

© Changmook Kim

A small lantern of Sangdo-dong that lights up the alley
The senior citizen center of Sangdo 1-dong located on the slope of an alley in Sangdodong. This was a project where the orientation and view had to be more particularly considered through the analysis of the current situation as it was a region in which residential areas are congested. Furthermore, the biggest assignment was: How can a senior community center of a wide and pleasant space be provided for the residents within a small land of 153m² We imagined while looking at the entrance of the existing senior citizen center, which lacked awareness and was rather dark. 

© Changmook Kim

When we looked at it while ascending the uphill road, we suddenly pictured a house where the family comes out to greet others. Since a senior citizen center has to be a friendly space where the local elderly can autonomously and comfortably come and go, rather than a simple joint-use facility, we thought that it would be good to plan with a homely feel. The spatial arrangement was planned with  consideration for the access and the complete view from Sangdo-ro, which is adjoined in the east. The building is entered through the landscaping and natural access road according to the slope of the site. 

© Changmook Kim

The core was arranged to the east at the back side of the building, and the main activity space and the hall were arranged at the front. The personality of the senior citizen center, which is a meeting place, was expressed through the toothing between masses, and the design was planned in the form of a gabled roof that comes to mind with the word “house!”. Impressions were added by differing the expression of the finish of each of the two masses. The red bricks and white stucco finishes were designed to make each other stand out but also to be harmonized with the surrounding buildings instead of being  contrasted, so that it can approach the residents in a familiar and friendly way. 

© Changmook Kim

We think that a senior community/citizen center should function as a space that can be fused with the lives of the residents rather than being a landmark of the region. In the interior, a warm and cozy feeling is created with wood, and a neat and calm sense is made with a white interior design. The first floor is semi-open with the use of a louver, and so the gazes from the outside are blocked while the indoor natural lighting and securement of a clear view are made possible. 

© Changmook Kim

While procuring lighting that is open to the road as much as possible, a southern exposure of the living room of the senior citizen center and the local residents’ cafe was secured. In addition, by planning an outdoor terrace in the cafe, a connection between the interior and exterior spaces was formed through the external shelter of the Gongneung-dong view and the folding door. When the sun begins to set, the senior citizen center brightens up the alley of Sangdodong. Since there are no specific hours of use due to the nature of a senior citizen center, light was shed on the space in consideration of the residents’ evening activities. We hope that the senior citizen center can approach as a small lantern that illuminates the safety and lives of the residents.

© Changmook Kim

 A space of 76m² was planned within a small land of 153m². This was the result of planning whilst spending every moment agonizing over how the internal activity space can be enlarged while procuring the parking lot and entry space. We happily finished the design, seeing the satisfied appearances of Dongjak-gu and the residents, who demanded an interior space that was more pleasant that the exterior space.

© Changmook Kim

골목을 밝히는 상도동의 작은 호롱불 

상도동 골목 경사지에 위치한 상도1동 경로당. 주택가 밀집지역으로 현황분석을 통해 향과 조망을 특별히 더 고려해야 했던 프로젝트이다. 또한 ‘어떻게 하면 주민들에게 153㎡의 작은 대지 안에서 넓고 쾌적한 공간의 경로당을 제공할 수 있을까’가 가장 큰 숙제였다. 기존에 인지성이 부족하고 다소 어두웠던 경로당의 입구를 보며 상상해보았 다. 오르막길을 오르며 바라보았을 때 문득 가족들이 마중 나오는 집이 그려졌다. 

© Changmook Kim

경로당은 단순한 공동이용시설이 아닌 지역 노인들이 자율적으로 편하게 오갈 수 있는 친근한 공간이어야 하기에 집 같은 느낌으로 계획하면 좋겠다란 생각이 들었다. 동측으로 접한 상도로에서의 접근과 전경을 고려하여 공간 배치를 계획했다. 대지의 경사로에  따른 조경 조성과 자연스러운 진입로를 통한 건물로의 출입이 이뤄진다. 코어는 동측으로 건물의 후면에 배치하고 주 활동 공간과 홀을 전면 배치하였다. 만남의 장소인 경로당의 성격을 매스 간 맞물림으로 표현하였고, “집!” 하면 떠오르는 박공지붕의 형태로 디자인을 계획했다. 두 개의 매스는 각각 마감의 표현을 달리하여 느낌을 더하였다. 붉은 벽돌과 하얀 스터코 마감은 서로를 돋보이게 하되, 주변 건물들과는 대비되지 않고 어우러질 수 있게 계획하여 주민들에게 익숙하며 친근하게 다가갈 수 있도록 하였 다. 경로당은 지역의 랜드마크가 되기보다 주민들의 삶에 녹아들 수 있는 공간으로서 작용해야 한다 생각한다. 내부는 목재로 따듯하면서 아늑한 느낌, 화이트 인테리어로 깔끔하고 차분한 느낌을 조성하였다. 1층은 루버를 이용한 반 개방으로 외부에서의 시선은 차단하면서 실내 자연 채광 및 시야 확보를 가능하도록 했다. 

© Changmook Kim

도로 쪽으로 최대  열린 채광을 확보해주며 경로당의 거실, 주민카페는 남향을 확보했다. 또한 카페는 야외테라스를 계획하여 공릉동 조망의 외부쉼터 및 폴딩 도어를 통한 내외부 공간 간의  연계를 형성하였다. 해가 지기 시작하면 경로당은 상도동 골목을 밝혀준다. 경로당의 특성상 특정한 이용시간이 있지 않기에 주민들의 저녁활동을 고려하여 공간에 빛을 비췄다. 개방형경로당이 주민들의 안전과 삶을 밝혀주는 작은 호롱불과 같은 존재로서 다가가길 소망한다. 153㎡의 작은 대지 안에서 76㎡이란 공간을 계획하였다. 어떻게 하면 주차와 진입공간을 확보하면서 내부 활동공간을 넓힐 수 있을지 매 순간 고민하며 계획한 결과이다.

FLOOR PLAN

Architects UPEM ARCHITECTS

Location Dongjak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea 

Program Senior citizen (community) center 

Site area 153.02㎡ 

Building area 76.62㎡ 

Gross floor area 264.39㎡ 

Building scope 4F 

Design period 2017. 9 - 11 

Construction period 2018. 2 - 2019. 1 

Completion 2019. 1 

Principal architect Soonhwa Chae 

Project architect Mincheol Chae 

Client Dongjak-gu 

Photographer Changmook Kim

해당 프로젝트는 건축문화 2019년 5월호(Vol. 456)에 게재 되었습니다.

The project was published in the May, 2019 issue of the magazine(Vol. 456).