PUBLIC SERIES
working in SP.ROUTE feels like entering a sustainable haven where traditional architecture seamlessly integrates with cutting-edge innovation. Your daily tasks take place within a flexible courtyard, surrounded by converging structures that adapt to the evolving needs of agriculture. Engage with Choga roofs, which reflect low-impact construction inspired by ancient practices. The buildings themselves embody sustainability, absorbing carbon and generating energy. In this unique environment, you become part of a community that not only grows crops but also nurtures natural builders, fostering empowerment, passion, and enjoyment. SPROUTE blurs the boundaries between work and connection, offering a harmonious blend of nature and tradition.
sp.route
as nature comes up
The harmony between buildings and nature is a defining characteristic of South Korean traditional architecture. Rather than competing with the surrounding beauty, the architecture seeks to merge with the landscape, drawing inspiration from natural elements like mountains and water. The key question is: How can we design functional farm buildings that create a strong sense of place while seamlessly blending into the landscape?
SP.ROUTE is a design journey that respects the natural landscape and cultural heritage, aiming for a holistic approach that marries ancient wisdom with modern technology. The layout draws inspiration from the natural process of sprouting, symbolizing growth, like a plant emerging from a seed. In this design, the required facilities sprout from a central core, creating a network that supports one another functionally.
The project is structured around a defined route, encircling a courtyard where buildings converge to direct the processes of seed production—representing a small but vital piece of farming life. The semi-open courtyard, sheltered by a canopy, provides functional space for farming activities and social interaction between temporary workers and permanent residents.
SP.ROUTE, which stands for Seed Production Route, is designed to be both flexible and adaptable, offering an evolving space that harmonizes with its environment while facilitating a community-oriented, sustainable way of living.
year
size
location
theme
status
2022
14.200 m2
s.korea
gyeongsangbuk
farming community
competition
The angular openings between the buildings are designed not only to enhance relaxation and privacy but also to create visually pleasing vistas. These carefully positioned spaces guide the eye while maintaining a sense of seclusion. The canopy’s form is a simple yet effective gesture, connecting the buildings at varying heights, naturally mimicking the contours of the surrounding mountainous landscape.
In our pursuit of renewable and sustainable materials that could be sourced locally, rather than relying on imported materials or construction methods, we realized the potential of utilizing what is readily available. In this case, the abundant resources of straw (such as rice, wheat, and barley) and red clay became central to our approach. These materials offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective solution that aligns with the project's ethos of sustainability and connection to the environment.
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How can we develop a farming and production center using local materials and labor, while fostering a thriving community and transforming it into a sustainable, self-sufficient environment?
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village
A typical contemporary rural settlement located about a mile from the project site. The primary livelihood is farming, with fragmented buildings scattered across the landscape, connected by winding, narrow roads. Metalwork structures are common, spreading relentlessly to link the surrounding terrain. Covering an area of 6k sqm, the village is loosely settled on 30k sqm, with limited visible public spaces for interaction. Most buildings are privately owned by individual farmers, creating a somewhat disconnected and isolated community fabric.
factory
While a farm is not a factory, it should operate with the same level of efficiency. This comparison highlights the 6,000 square meters of required facilities for ARMI in relation to the nearby village. If it were a factory, it would likely be designed as a cold, enclosed big box, isolated from its surroundings, with little or no connection to the outside world. Such a structure would rely on closed-circuit processes, eliminating the need for external interaction or input.
sp.route
Bridging tradition and technology, SP.ROUTE serves as an intermediary between the fragmented, human-scaled structures of a farming village and the expansive, functional footprint of a modern factory. The buildings converge around a central courtyard, blending into the landscape as monumental yet discreet forms. From a distance, they disappear into the terrain, creating a new topography that integrates life and function, extending seamlessly into every corner of the site.
This integration of local, natural resources not only strengthens the environmental impact of the project but also ties it to the cultural and agricultural context of the region, creating a building system that is both functional and respectful of its surroundings.
Strawbale buildings and thatched roofs, enhanced with modern technologies, offer an unexpectedly sustainable living solution.
By honoring traditional farming practices, these buildings not only reduce carbon footprints but also improve air quality through breathable wall systems that allow vapor and air exchange without toxic off-gassing. The natural plastered strawbale walls (clay and lime) regulate temperature and humidity while providing excellent sound insulation.
A thatched roof ensures that the building stays cool in summer and warm in winter, cutting energy costs by up to 90%. Plus, it's a fun and engaging way to live sustainably!
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encircling the courtyard with facilities creates a sheltered processing space for products, providing easy access and encouraging user interaction; a communal area, fostering connections among users.
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Anyone can take part in the construction, especially with loadbearing or lightweight timber frames, fostering a sense of community and belonging to the place. The design allows for easy disassembly, enabling adaptation, recycling, and upgrades as needs change over time. It won’t take years to build, and if the structures are no longer required, they can be returned to nature for further processing without causing harm. Simple organic finishes and their natural imperfections help the buildings blend effortlessly into the landscape, becoming a seamless part of it.
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offering a traditional lightweight roof structure over the facilities, creating a sheltered and climate-controlled environment beneath, utilizing soil-based masonry structures that are sustainable, economical, and energy-efficient.
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existing site
surrounded by fields of wheat and rice paddies, with the perimeter of the plot taking about 15 minutes to walk on a pleasant day. The protected buildings are situated in the southeast corner of the site, where the storage area has been repurposed into a museum showcasing the historical and future connections between humans and nature in farming, expecting no small talk from the new friends on the block.
central courtyard
required facilities for ARMI include approximately 6,000 square meters of open drying space and 6,000 square meters of indoor areas. At the heart of the site, a central courtyard is envisioned, serving as a functional core. This courtyard minimally impacts the protected facilities in the southeast corner, using them as a starting point for integrating the new facilities. The design adapts these existing structures to fit seamlessly with the new layout.
convergence
buildings align and spread along the central courtyard, converging to accommodate the summer (SW) and winter (NW) winds. This design allows for smooth airflow through the courtyard, making it a central hub for both work and leisure, fostering a vibrant atmosphere. The buildings are arranged to facilitate connections, with widened areas at the back providing space for small gardens and pleasant views.
sp.route
the term "sprout" carries numerous connotations within the context of the project, symbolizing growth and adaptation. SP.ROUTE embodies this concept, reaching out and connecting with its surroundings while uniting the various components under a cohesive cover. Essentially, it represents an act of growth and renewal. SP.ROUTE marks the beginning of a new narrative—one that has been told many times before and then forgotten. Our hope is that this story will revive one of the timeless tales that Mother Nature has persistently shared.
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and offering a building that seamlessly blends into nature, embodying a contemporary take
on traditional design principles
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