image courtesy of Metropolismag

Through generous communal spaces, the Songpa Micro-Housing project in Seoul encourages inhabitants to interact with their neighbors.

How much personal space do we actually need? A mere 120 square feet suffices for residents of Single Speed Design’s (SsD) Songpa Micro-Housing project in Seoul, Korea. Placing emphasis on shared public areas rather than individual living space, the 14-unit block features semi-public residual spaces such as a mini theater, café, and toy gallery—called the “shared living room” by SsD’s principals (and 2004 Metropolis Next Generation Design Prize winners) Jinhee Park and John Hong. 

“We coined the term ‘tapioca space’,” Hong says. “If you look at a tapioca pearl, there’s gel around it. And with a lot of micro-housing, you have the corridor and then you have the housing. But we’re focused on the kind of ‘gel’ around the unit that’s semi-public—the shared corridors and balconies.” Corridors throughout are filled with natural light, ventilation, and views, making them natural gathering points for social interaction for residents and their guests. The parking area below—a necessary requirement for buildings in the area—also works as a shared public space for gatherings.......Continue Reading

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