drawing works clads one-person house in seoul with layered corrugated steel facade

DRAWING WORKS explores compact single-person urban living

Located in Gusan-dong, Seoul, at the corner of a three-way intersection, One House 2 by DRAWING WORKS explores how small-scale residential design can adapt existing structures to contemporary living. The project continues the studio’s investigation into one-person housing, following an earlier project in Yeongdong that featured a similar dwelling set within a natural landscape. This second iteration situates the concept within the dense environment of the city.

The house is composed of two floors, each measuring approximately 21 sqm. The compact plan emphasizes clear circulation and efficient use of space. The remodeling included demolishing an external staircase to introduce a new parking area and ground-level entrance. A steel frame ensures stability and creates flexibility in the reconfigured layout. Inside, the arrangement connects the parking, entrance, kitchen, and staircase in a straightforward sequence that extends upward toward the living areas. On the second floor, the relationship between the room, terrace, and rooftop provides varied spatial experiences within the compact volume.

all images by Yoon Joonhwan

Small-Scale Architecture Meets Urban Context in One House 2

The design addresses environmental performance through careful window placement. South-facing openings maximize daylight, while north-facing windows are minimized to reduce energy loss. These decisions balance comfort with efficiency in a small-scale footprint. Externally, the house responds to its exposed location on three sides. Rather than asserting scale, the design adopts a restrained presence that blends into its surroundings. Corrugated steel cladding defines the facade, chosen for durability and economy. By layering three different off-the-shelf patterns, the elevation achieves depth and variation without additional ornamentation. This material strategy demonstrates how modest interventions can enrich the dialogue between a building and its urban context.

Through its compact yet adaptable design, One House 2 by studio DRAWING WORKS redefines the potential of small-scale architecture in dense urban conditions. The project illustrates how careful planning, material economy, and subtle reconfiguration can produce a residence that is both efficient and responsive, contributing to broader discussions on the future of urban housing.

One House 2 by DRAWING WORKS is located at a three-way intersection in Gusan-dong, Seoul

the project adapts an existing structure for contemporary one-person urban living