Owl House, South Korea
In January 2017, the South Korean architect Moon Hoon unveiled his new housing block in the city of Busan, designed to resemble an owl.
At 16 m in height, the four-storey Busan Times building incorporates a concrete frame that extends from a large street-facing window to represent the angular face of an owl, while two openings at either sides represent eyes, which are illuminated at night.
The neck and head of the bird are represented by a series of setbacks cut into the building, creating two single-storey flats on the first floor and a smaller two-storey flat stacked above to one side. Meanwhile, a vertical block with a skylight contained within a sliced corner represents the bird’s wing, protruding from the building’s side and housing the main staircase.
Moon Hoon intended the exposed concrete building to be “full of quirks and fun” for the occupant family’s child. Their room is arranged on a split level, with a net railing protecting the mezzanine bedroom. Plenty of windows, including a small circular skylight above the bed, provide views over the city.
At the lowest level of the apartment, doors slide open onto a garden terrace established on top of a further setback. Running around the western side of the building is a ribbon of glazing, while faceted glass walls beneath create a covered entrance.
Photographs © Shin Kyungsub.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Insights of how to attract more young people to construction
Results from CIOB survey of 16-24 year olds and parents.
Focussing on the practical implementation of electrification.
Sustainable Urban Drainage and Biodiversity
Awards for champions of these interconnected fields now open.
Microcosm of biodiversity in balconies and containers
Minor design adaptations for considerable biodiversity benefit.
CIOB student competitive construction challenge Ireland
Inspiring a new wave of Irish construction professionals.
Challenges of the net zero transition in Scotland
Skills shortage and ageing workforce hampering Scottish transition to net zero.
Private rental sector, living standards and fuel poverty
Report from the NRH in partnership with Impact on Urban Health.
.Cold chain condensing units market update
Tracking the evolution of commercial refrigeration unit markets.
Attending a conservation training course, personal account
The benefits of further learning for professsionals.
Restoring Alexander Pope's grotto
The only surviving part of his villa in Twickenham.
International Women's Day 8 March, 2025
Accelerating Action for For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
Lack of construction careers advice threatens housing targets
CIOB warning on Government plans to accelerate housebuilding and development.
Shelter from the storm in Ukraine
Ukraine’s architects paving the path to recovery.
BSRIA market intelligence division key appointment
Lisa Wiltshire to lead rapidly growing Market Intelligence division.
A blueprint for construction’s sustainability efforts
Practical steps to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Timber in Construction Roadmap
Ambitious plans from the Government to increase the use of timber in construction.
ECA digital series unveils road to net-zero.
Retrofit and Decarbonisation framework N9 launched
Aligned with LHCPG social value strategy and the Gold Standard.