No Walls? No Worries: Sans Walls Villa in South Korea by Joongho Choi Studio.

There’s something about Sans Walls that evokes a serenity and calm with its linear passage. Perhaps it’s the hierarchy of spatial planning that is very much reminiscent of Diller + Scofidio + Renfro’s multi-media installation ‘Slow House’ that leaves me captivated. Or perhaps it’s the lack of walls (hence its name) that implores you to look out to the clear waters of Bukhan River against Sinseon Mountain.

Designed by Joongkho Choi Studio, Sans Walls is a two-storey structure embedded in the landscape of Gapeyong-gun, Gangwon-do in South Korea. The villa itself is designed to border ‘between the place and the architecture’ by allowing the overall architecture to be embraced by the panoramic scenery. Mute in appearance with its precast concrete panels to blend in, internally the villa surprises patrons with its vast open space that frames river and mountain in awe. It’s evident that the views are the primary focus of the building as the concrete formation almost embraces itself to capture the idyllic moment.

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To achieve this, the designers arranged the floorplate in a linear formation with various pockets raised or sunken to create dimension and effective curation of space without the added distraction of walls. These individual polished concrete platforms establish the communal areas, music lounge, and shared kitchen and bar (where individuals can cook to their heart’s content). A selection of pieces by Danish architect Kaare Klint, 20th-century vintage furniture and lighting designed by the studio offer an antique yet calming ambience.

The overall vibe is rather apt, especially for the music lounge located opposite the atrium space—characterised by a customised vinyl record shelf. Each of the individual pockets is orientated to face the framed river and mountain scene. Externally, an outdoor infinity pool shimmers against the sunlight.

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While the ground floor is an enticing retreat—above becomes an individual and intimate space for rest. Staircases flanked on the ends of the villa take visitors up to five private rooms and additional amenities. The interior is rather reminiscent of the 80s, with deep shades of leafy green representative of Sans Walls painted throughout. Bathrooms are luxuriously lined in black tiles and stainless-steel fixtures. Deep lightwells placed beside the rooms create indoor courtyards, a continual effort to maintain the relationship between architecture and landscape. In contrast to the hard grey flooring, Joongho Choi opted for warm teak timber flooring, complementing the multifunctional bed frame designed for the villa.

Almost modernist in an interior that speaks of sophisticated homeliness, Sans Villa is enticing for anyone who needs a wellness retreat. Bask in the sun or the sun-dialling shadow lines from the large windows—you could say there’s a twinge of K-drama aesthetic as well.

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[Images courtesy of Joongho Choi Studio. Photography by Sangpil Lee.]