When Architecture Meets Nature, LOTTE RESORT JEJU ART VILLAS
What would homes in Jeju look like, drawn up by the world’s most prominent architects based on their imagination and inspiration? We visited JEJU ART VILLAS, a high-end resort community with a healing power.
“There is a certain melancholy about islands. We don’t know where it comes from···. The grayish green tint that impregnates everything. …In Jeju, that feeling is even stronger than usual.”
The emotions carried by artists including writers and painters are colorful and diverse, just like numerous natural tints. To architects as well, Jeju Island is a blank canvas. They have been incorporating the beautiful ocean and Mt. Hallasan, along with the ever-changing landscape of Jeju, into their designs of architecture that blends with the blessed island. Master architects such as Tadao Ando, Jun Itami(Yoo Dong-ryong), and Ricardo Legorreta have left their marks across the island so far.
Community center and outdoor pool
Jeju’s Nature Embodied in Resort Design
In Saekdal-dong, Seogwipo, an empty land has been filled by the distinctive designs by five teams of expert architects. It is LOTTE RESORT JEJU ART VILLAS. Each unit of the community reflects differing aesthetics and perspectives of the designers, with the only common element being Jeju’s natural environment that served as the motif to the project. Over 10 years since the completion of the construction, JEJU ART VILLAS is still the ultimate dream lodging by tourists visiting Jeju Island.
JEJU ART VILLAS consists of five theme blocks offering 70 units in total. Architects and designers Seung H-Sang, Yi Jongho, Dominique Perrault(France), Kengo Kuma(Japan), and DA Architecture Group participated in the project. Seung, who was in charge of the project, said, “The true purpose of a resort is to give power to return to daily life… We incorporated that original goal of reinvigorating those who are exhausted in their life.”
JEJU ART VILLAS consists of five theme blocks offering 70 units in total. Architects and designers Seung H-Sang, Yi Jongho, Dominique Perrault(France), Kengo Kuma(Japan), and DA Architecture Group participated in the project. Seung, who was in charge of the project, said, “The true purpose of a resort is to give power to return to daily life… We incorporated that original goal of reinvigorating those who are exhausted in their life.”
Seung H-Sang Block, with simple and restrained beauty
Five Variations of Jeju Architecture on Exhibit
Each architect has come up with their own interpretation of rest and comfort that a resort can offer to its guests. Jeju has the shape of a giant mountain as Mt. Hallasan stands in the center, so the altitude gradually increases toward the center from all four sides of the oval island. Seung H-Sang’s block reflects such a balance between the island, sea, and the towering mountain. He created a simple, understated space using Jeju’s geographical silhouette as a motif. On that point, the architect explained that he wanted to construct “an architecture that functions as a landscape passageway so that the scenery of Mt. Hallasan can flow through the building’s inner space to the outlet toward the ocean.”
Dominique Perrault Block, with natural curves of Jeju recreated
French architect Dominique Perrault re-created the natural curves found in Jeju’s environment with his block design. In order to bring nature into his villas, he made a round courtyard and a sunken terrace for an exotic and rare design uncommon among residential buildings in Korea.
Kengo Kuma Block, showing features of Jeju Oreums. It comes in 245㎡ and 208㎡.
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma used the characteristics of Jeju oreums for his block. His basalt roofs blend in well with the environment and contribute to a vibrant appearance of the condominiums. Regarding the design, Seung has commented that Kuma must have wanted to realize a genuine relaxation of the mind through the design of JEJU ART VILLAS.
Yi Jongho Block, focusing on easy interaction with nature
Architect Yi Jongho’s block focuses on communicating with nature via the flow of wind in and out of the villas. The architect’s desire to build a house that resembles the force of life that nature’s breath emanates is shown through his design.
Young Korean architects leading DA Group added a rhythm to the community’s outline by laying out units featuring different heights and volumes like a randomly patched quilt. Despite the smaller size of the villa units, the blocks are the largest in number and popular among family guests.
Young Korean architects leading DA Group added a rhythm to the community’s outline by laying out units featuring different heights and volumes like a randomly patched quilt. Despite the smaller size of the villa units, the blocks are the largest in number and popular among family guests.
Community center seen at night
Outdoor pool
Private Services and Facilities of ART VILLAS
The five blocks of villas also have a community center, outdoor pool, indoor fitness center, and sauna facilities. Each villa has an outdoor jacuzzi so that the guests can enjoy a soak and unwind while admiring Jeju’s sky and nature whenever they want. Art Cordelia offers a stylish dining service with a creative menu, cooked with fresh local ingredients. There is no separate charge to ask for the popular in-room dining service.
The biggest advantage of JEJU ART VILLAS is that it ensures your privacy. Entry into the community by outsiders is limited and full account holders of a villa receive exclusive services including the airport pickup and sending service as well as the strict non-disclosure service from arrival to departure.
The true relaxation of the soul amid Jeju’s sky, wind, and the sea is made possible in the resort that embodies the island’s natural surroundings. It’s what JEJU ART VILLAS has prepared for its guests.
Address: 124 Saekdaljungang-ro 252beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju
Inquiry: +82-64-731-9000
Homepage: JEJU ART VILLAS
The biggest advantage of JEJU ART VILLAS is that it ensures your privacy. Entry into the community by outsiders is limited and full account holders of a villa receive exclusive services including the airport pickup and sending service as well as the strict non-disclosure service from arrival to departure.
The true relaxation of the soul amid Jeju’s sky, wind, and the sea is made possible in the resort that embodies the island’s natural surroundings. It’s what JEJU ART VILLAS has prepared for its guests.
Address: 124 Saekdaljungang-ro 252beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju
Inquiry: +82-64-731-9000
Homepage: JEJU ART VILLAS
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