Located on the southern slope of Jeju Island, the Scissor House pivots up a previously existing tangerine farm overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The volcanic Island, Jeju, is approximately 100 kilometers south of the Korean Peninsula. Known for its tropical landscape and strong winds, Jeju Island has indigenous homes which are typically earth houses with low thatched dome roofs tied down with large volcanic basalt stones. Warm summer breezes blow up from the Pacific over the entire face of Halla Mountain, the islands central volcano.

Cold winter winds blow south from the upper latitudes of Russia and China. The scissor house is oriented to take advantage of these natural conditions while maintaining much of the existing tangerine farm. The slope of the site is terraced with 2 to 3 meter basalt stone retaining walls. The house scissors between one tier and another, stepping up and pivoting around the low basalt stone wall. A small stone and moss garden faces the entry and steps up to the main living space which overlooks a courtyard, with a persimmon tree, towards the Pacific Ocean. Sliding doors along the main living and eating space can open the entire house to the ocean for much of the year. The continuous roof remains low and monolithic to allow the singular form protection from the strong winds moving over the house.

The roof is a single slab of concrete without any waterproofing or parapet which might easily be damaged in a typhoon strength wind. During the pouring and curing process, the roof was re-troweled every 2-3 hours throughout the night to allow any existing moisture to rise and form an 8- 10 millimeter thick cement seal which will prevent future cracks and is completely water tight. The Scissor House is able to maintain a small ecological footprint while enjoying the immense beauty of the Island and the Pacific Ocean.

Architect: Byoungsoo Cho
Location: Seohong-dong, Seogwipo Jeju-do, Korea
Project Team: Woohyun Kang
Consultants: Ja Yeon Jeju Landscape Architects
Site area: 3,438 sqm
Gross floor area: 322.3 sqm
Total floor area: 247.2 sqm
Design Year: 2007-2008
Construction Year: 2008-2010
Photographs: Wooseop Hwang

BCHO Architects

Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) was selected earlier this year after an international design competition by owner/developer Lotte Group, one of South Korea’s largest conglomerates. This long anticipated project has now earned all major zoning approvals, and excavation is nearly complete. The building will serve as Lotte’s new corporate headquarters and will be built by Lotte Construction, a subsidiary of the group. Architect’s description after the break.



The architectural team is led by KPF design principal James von Klemperer. The concept melds a modern aesthetic with forms inspired by the historic Korean arts of ceramics, porcelain, and calligraphy. “The tower’s uninterrupted curvature and gentle tapered form is reflective of Korean artistry. The seam that runs from top to bottom of the structure gestures toward the old center of city,” said von Klemperer. “Elegance of form was one of our prime objectives, following Lotte’s desire to bestow a beautiful monument to the capital city skyline,” he added. The overall form of the tower will stand out from the city’s rugged mountainous topography as a slender tapered cone. Exterior materials will be light-toned glass accented by a filigree of metal.

A. Eugene Kohn, Chairman of KPF, said, “The Lotte Super Tower 123 will be Seoul’s new landmark building and a fitting representation of the eminent role of Lotte Group and its Chairman Shin Kyuk-ho in Korea.” Chairman Shin, now aged 87, is the founder of the company, known as a legend in the Korean business world for his vision and determination.

Lotte Super Tower 123 will sit astride a key transportation hub in the southern Jamsil section of the city near the Han River. Unlike other “super talls,” the Tower will be truly mixed-use, approaching the ideal of a vertical city. Uses include public transport connectors, retail, residential, offices, hotel, observation deck, and public space. The building’s first six floors will contain retail; offices will occupy floors 7 thru 60; 25 floors of residential will rise from floors 61- 85; and a 7-star luxury hotel will comprise floors 86-119. The dramatic culmination of the building will be a civic realm within its top four stories earmarked for extensive public use and entertainment facilities including an observation deck.