The design approach captures the essence of the Sari-Myeon’s past, present, and future. Following the village informality, the new extension takes the simple shape of a village house. Through elegance of great craftsmanship and choice of envelope treatment its architecture celebrates progress and prosperity of Korea. Building footprint is kept minimal to allow for an outdoor village gathering plaza. Enjoying the southern sun light filtered thought the green ceiling created by overarching trees; the open public space fills the lower part site A. The tall and shiny extension of a unique shape marks the Senior Centre from distance.
The old warehouse, remained intact structurally, opens up to the beauty of country sky. Impressing one who enters with light and air, the space incarnates the old essence of countryside. Considering the mild climate of Sari-Myeon, the space accommodates the warmth and livelihood of a community centre. The building orientation allows for solar gain. Therefor the new extension extends its roof high and inclined to south, creating a large plate to capture sunlight. Built with BIPV panels, the warm southern façade also provides electricity for the Centre.
Carefully wrapped in the white lace of simple horizontal louvers, the old warehouse takes a new life. Accessible through two doors opening to the trees plaza, it invites the community in. The large multipurpose hall is linked to the small multipurpose room on the second level, through a narrating set of stairs. The stairs take you through a pleasant journey around the building’s skin, stopes at points for one to take a deep breath in fresh air and sunshine twists and surprises you with vistas over village and lands on the immaterial roof of the old warehouse.