Atelier Itch envelops Bomun House in Seoul with windowless steel skin

South Korean studio Atelier Itch has wrapped a shiny steel facade around a house on a tight residential street in Seoul, juxtaposing the neighbouring red-brick houses.

Named Bomun House, the home sits on a narrow road barely wide enough for vehicle access and is hemmed in by multi-family houses commonly found in Seoul.

It was updated by Atelier Itch with a mostly windowless facade of corrugated lightweight steel to "refine the building's exterior", which the studio said was previously "cluttered" due to an external road-facing staircase.

While updating the exterior, Atelier Itch also converted the home's fourth-floor terrace into a habitable space, allowing its owner to live solely across the second floor and rooftop, and rent out the two lower levels.

"Given the poor conditions for natural light and views, our main priority was to refine the building's exterior into a clean yet striking presence," said Atelier Itch co-founder Yourim Lee.

"Since the lower floors would be rented out, it was also important for the building to stand out in a positive way," added Lee.

Steel was chosen as it was a cost-effective material, and one that would allow the studio to create a distinct contrast with the surrounding buildings.

In addition to streamlining the facade, it prevents overlooking from the neighbouring homes, continuing right up to the terrace's railing.

"Within the project's limited budget, this affordable material was effectively utilized to achieve a dramatic transformation," said Lee.

Inside, the studio focused on maximising natural ventilation, light and a feeling of openness on the top floor terrace, adding a glass bathroom that opens out directly onto the patio.

It has a spacious bath and a shower designed to create a "sky-facing bathing experience" for the house's inhabitants, with blinds for privacy.

Alongside the bathroom, the top floor of the building also contains a bedroom, while the floor below contains the living room and kitchen, alongside amenities including a library and dressing room.

The rental units are similar in plan, offering two adaptable rooms, one bathroom each and kitchen areas.

Throughout the interior, pared-back finishes have been applied, echoing the utilitarian look of the exterior.

Other windowless homes on Dezeen include the angular Kamiuma House by Chop + Archi and Black Box by TakaTin, which is also lined in corrugated metal.

The photography is courtesy of Atelier Itch.

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