Completed in 2022 by the inventive minds at On Architects Inc., NONSPACE is a groundbreaking initiative designed to reenergize a local village celebrated for its rich tradition of rice and flower farming. The project ambitiously reshapes the lens through which communities interact with architectural spaces. Seamlessly melding time-honored elements with modern design, NONSPACE offers a unique synthesis of the past and present, infused with multi-sensory experiences that engage and inspire. Dive into our exploration of this revolutionary project, and join us on a journey through innovative architecture.
NONSPACE Technical Information
- Architects: On Architects
- Location: Hobeop-myeon, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- Topics: Concrete in Architecture
- Gross Area: 428.48 m2
- Completion Year: 2022
- Photographs: © Yoon Joonhwan
The intent is for it to be the spatial platform for a local private sector cultural complex that goes beyond the functions of ordinary commercial spaces, enticing cultures to merge and interact with one another as part of a process to create the new.
– On Architects
NONSPACE Photographs
Delving into NONSPACE: A Cross-Cultural Confluence
The core concept of NONSPACE lies at the intersection of widthwise and depthwise constructs— aptly referred to as “cross-spaces”. Far from being a one-size-fits-all area, each cross-space allows for various program extensions, carving out a unique experimental space that goes beyond conventional physical dimensions.
NONSPACE aims to function as a spatial platform for a localized cultural complex that transcends the functionalities of typical commercial spaces. It invites diverse cultures to interact and fuse together, catalyzing a creative process that crafts something entirely new. The innovative cross-spaces, formed through widthwise and depthwise orders, set the stage for the genesis of a vibrant range of cross-cultures.
The intent is for it to be the spatial platform for a local private sector cultural complex that goes beyond the functions of ordinary commercial spaces, enticing cultures to merge and interact with one another as part of a process to create the new. The cross-spaces created in the widthwise and depthwise orders will produce a new variety of cross-cultures in an extensible way.
The Aesthetic of Rice-Straw Exposed Concrete
A unique feature of NONSPACE is the experimentation with exposed concrete embedded with rice straw to craft a distinctive indoor atmosphere. Before pouring the concrete, bundles of rice straw were laid on the slab form and drenched with water to help them absorb the concrete’s moisture. Upon removing the form and bundles, the straw remained embedded in the concrete, creating a textured, straw-woven space. Over time, this space will evolve, its ambiance changing as the embedded straw undergoes natural transformations.
Engaging the Five Senses
NONSPACE invites its visitors into a multisensory journey from the moment they step into the cross-space. As you enter, your senses are greeted by the changing sky, the gentle rustling of the wind, and the soothing sounds of water flowing from a gap in the floor. This water feature, offering more than just a visual spectacle, creates an auditory symphony that resonates throughout the space.
The interior is cleverly divided into two service spaces, from where the origin of the water sounds becomes apparent. A curated selection of trees representing the four seasons accompanies visitors to a void space that offers a visual panorama complemented by a rocky landscape. The scents of freshly prepared food and beverages wafting from the service area stimulate olfactory senses, adding another dimension to the experience.
As you navigate through the indoor space, you encounter an assortment of natural elements—openings and closures, shrinking and expanding spaces, and an interplay of light and dark. Visual stimuli are enhanced by diverse external landscapes viewed from the ends of the nine spaces formed by the widthwise and depthwise orders. The rooftop, with pebbles underfoot, resonates with pleasant sounds that harmonize with the sound of the flowing water, completing the multisensory exploration.
NONSPACE Image Gallery
About On Architects
On Architects Inc. delves into local architecture’s values, merging physical, environmental, and real-world elements to foster connections between people and local areas. They strive to unearth fresh values through probing social and cultural phenomena backed by insightful thought. As a sustainable firm, they continuously experiment to generate boundless values and business models rooted in architecture. Their focus remains on the intricate architectural relationships underpinned by social change.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Lead Architect: Jung Woongsik
