AFER Hangang

Afer Han River – An Apartment with a Courtyard-Like Balcony Modern urban housing has evolved to prioritize practicality and functional needs, but in the process, natural human relationships have become increasingly difficult to form. Furthermore, the growing phenomenon of social disconnection has led to a decline in communication between neighbors and family members within residential spaces. Afer Han River presents a new housing model by reinterpreting the communal values of traditional Korean architecture in a modern context. Turning Diagonal Restrictions into a Spatial Opportunity The site posed significant regulatory constraints, making freeform design challenging. However, by leveraging diagonal restrictions, we transformed these limitations into an opportunity to create terraces. As a result, the upper floors gradually recede, forming stepped structures, and every unit is provided with a terrace at least 2 meters wide, ensuring a living environment closely connected to nature. These terraces open directly to the sky, creating an ever-changing dialogue between the residents and nature. In traditional Korean hanok houses, trees were planted in courtyards to integrate nature into everyday living. Inspired by this concept, each unit in Afer Han River has been designed with space for planting trees on its terrace. This approach extends beyond conventional balconies, using nature as a medium to enhance spatial experiences, foster family connections, and further encourage interaction among neighbors, ultimately forming a communal living environment. The "Balcony Society" and Facilitating Communication Afer Han River proposes the concept of a "balcony society," where terraces blur the boundary between private and communal life, fostering spontaneous interactions. Each unit’s terrace is strategically positioned at an appropriate distance to encourage spontaneous interactions while maintaining individual privacy. Additionally, windows have been placed between rooms to allow family members to acknowledge one another’s presence and interact naturally. This design is inspired by traditional hanok houses, where opening the window from the main room allowed visual and spatial connection with the detached quarters across the courtyard. These interior windows can be opened or closed as needed, offering flexibility in managing spatial openness and communication. Modern Significance and Future Potential Afer Han River is a new residential model aimed at restoring the communal relationships that have been lost in modern urban living. It serves as a crucial architectural experiment in fostering natural human connections within Korea’s housing environment and explores possibilities for application in various urban settings. More than just a residential space, Afer Han River is a space that connects people and fosters meaningful relationships.