Fridae

Architect: Sami Rintala
Landscape Architects: Eedo Space Architectural Design, Se�l, Republic of Korea
Location: Anyang Park, Anyang, Se�l, Republic of Korea
Materials: Steel, Wood, Concrete, Gravel, Glass
Construction: October-December 2005
Constructed Area: 72sqm
Photography: Park Wan Soon, Emil Goh

The Element House by Sami Rintala may come scross to some not unlike a medieval Italian courtyard. Built on top of a forest hill in a park, the surroundings is extremely quiet and calm. Four individual rooms and levels are created within this structure. Sami Rintala explains that in each of these rooms, there is the presence of water, soil, fire and air.The Element House's structure suggests the structural playfulness of a Rem Koolhaas building where there is structural virtuosity without much complexity. The Element house is much like a sanctuary, with several observation points allong the winding staircase. As part of The Anyang art project in 2005, the Element house will leave a lasting mark on the city.

From Sami Rintala:
Following the Korean life rhythm and style the timetable was very tight. Planning started already while choosing the site. Sketches were to be delivered the next day. Due to the rushing I had difficulties to follow the constant changes in my drawings. Luckily I could redo some of the important details later while working on the construction site. Working with the Koreans was in spite of lack of time very pleasant, sometimes even funny.

The park is situated in a river valley. The building itself is standing on top of a small forest hill, along an outdoor route leading to the mountains in the far end of the park. Main space is a larger steel cube. Four smaller wooden rooms are connected to this space in different floors. In each of these small rooms there is the presence of one nature element; In cellar water, on courtyard soil, in first floor fire and in the attic air.

On practical level, the idea of the work is to offer a simple shelter where the hikers may rest, enjoy their lunch, have a view over the mountains or light a stick of incense. For this purpose Norwegian artist John Roger Holte has crafted a platform and storage for the incenses out of coloured concrete. This habit relates to the history of the valley as an important Buddhist retreat. There used to be many temples situated on the mountain area, only few of which are left today. However, I was told that there are even older shamanistic rituals left, and services available if needed.

Main building materials are steel and wood. Concrete has been used to cellar and foundation. Openings are covered with safety glass, floors with jade and marble gravel, different stone type and colour in each space.

Seoul is an immense urban area the fast growing of which is visible in the condition of the surroundings. Constant noise, packed motorways, endless rows of cloned blocks of flats and ever prevailing grey smog create a tough place for living things. I hope this small building in the edge of the city and the forest would offer some contrasting atmosphere. If someone ever, walking by in an everyday hurry, decides to stop and sit down and allows silence to take over, lets thoughts wander, this work has reached its goal.