Basalt Brick House in Pangyo by JOHO Architecture: A Contemporary Gem in South Korea

  • Project: Basalt Brick House
  • Architect: JOHO Architecture
  • Location: South Korea, 908-10, Unjung-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do
  • Year: 2015
  • Area: 213 m2
  • Photography: Kyungsub Shin

Tucked into a quiet residential district in Pangyo, near Seoul, this remarkable residence by JOHO Architecture redefines what a contemporary urban home can be. With a design that’s both structurally expressive and materially rich, the Basalt Brick House is immediately captivating—thanks to its distinctive four-part roof, dark volcanic stone façade, and artfully minimalist form.

A Tactile Expression of Modern Korean Architecture

The house presents a powerful architectural silhouette. Clad in local basalt bricks and ashed color masonry, the exterior feels timeless yet forward-looking, combining durability with a sculptural warmth. The contrast between the dark bricks and reflective stainless-steel panels adds a modern edge, while ensuring the structure responds beautifully to light throughout the day.

This carefully selected palette doesn’t just serve aesthetics—the basalt provides excellent thermal mass, helping regulate interior temperatures in Korea’s variable climate.

“Our intention was to use tactile, regional materials while exploring new forms of spatial division and roof structure,” — JOHO Architecture

Roof Geometry That Shapes Space

The standout feature of this home is its four-part divided roof, designed to both maximize spatial efficiency and bring natural light into the upper volumes. These four segments introduce visual interest while shaping distinct zones inside the house—each receiving varying levels of sunlight and openness depending on orientation.

This roof concept is more than an architectural flourish—it embodies a sensitive response to site, light, and spatial comfort.

Two Levels of Warm, Inviting Living

With 213.69 m² spread across two floors, the house balances public and private zones with ease. The first floor is dedicated to communal living, with open-plan layouts that encourage family interaction. Large window openings and material continuity between inside and out help blur the boundary between architecture and landscape.

The upper floor contains private bedrooms and quiet zones, with volumes subtly shaped by the pitched roof system. The result is a residence that feels both intimate and expansive.

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The Basalt Brick House by JOHO Architecture is a beautiful study in material honesty, modern restraint, and contextual response. It shows how compact urban dwellings can still deliver architectural richness, light-filled interiors, and sculptural beauty.

Posted by JOHO Architecture

JOHO Architecture is a Seoul-based architectural studio founded in 2009 by Jeong Hoon Lee. The firm is renowned for its innovative designs that reinterpret traditional Korean architecture through contemporary forms and materials. By exploring the geometries inherent in building materials, JOHO Architecture creates structures that harmonize with their surroundings while challenging conventional architectural norms. Jeong Hoon Lee, the principal architect, holds qualifications from the Paris La Villette School of Architecture in France and is a registered architect in both France (D.P.L.G.) and South Korea (K.I.R.A.). His work has earned international recognition, including the Korea Young Architect Award in 2010 and inclusion in Architectural Record’s Design Vanguard in 2013. Lee also serves as Vice President of the Architectural Design Institute of Korea and contributes to various architectural committees and academic institutions.