House II is located next to House I, Kyu Sung Woo's 30-year-old design in which the couple raised their two children. The new home faces the street for a small portion and then widens to the rear of the lot, exhibiting an elegant facade with a streamlined profile
House II and its elegant fiber cement facade
Architect Kyu Sung Woo designs House II for his wife, a concert pianist, and himself: a couple in their 70s who are still active and beginning to think about their changing needs
The angle of the roof reflects the sloping topography of the site, and the diagonal wooden truss in its frame introduces a triangular geometry that is repeated repeatedly throughout the house. House II is designed to create a connection with nature: glass walls on the ground floor, a large patio, and a location that maximizes garden space reflect this desire
Exterior materials were chosen for ease of maintenance and freedom of composition: large fiber cement panels on the sides facing the "public" feature geometric patterns that create depth and shadows. Corrugated metal is used for utility on the back sides, while wood used for the fence and in the lower level of the house warms the rooms
The centerpiece of the interior is an open staircase and elevator that provide accessibility in case of mobility problems, given the age of the couple. This core creates three completely distinct levels: the living space on the second floor is organized as a work/dining area in the central space that opens to the garden through glass walls. The piano is located in a corner to allow performances for up to 30 guests
The garden was designed by Michael van Valkenburg, with planting focused on maximizing seasonal effects, with leaves and flowers providing year-round color. It is accessed from both the ground floor and lower levels, with sloping steps and a circular path connecting them, punctuated by a shale terrace
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