A communal bathhouse in Gyeongdo, South Korea, was designed by local architecture studio Hyunjoon Yoo Architects. First, it was the studio's first building project on the island. Secondly, the main project of the building is the public bathroom and dining room for the elders of the village. The elderly make up the majority of the population in this fishing village, and their homes have no decent bathing facilities. Therefore, the public bathroom is necessary, it will become the center of the community. Like the Caracalla baths in Roman times, the public baths will become the most important public space on the island.
Hyunjoon Yoo Architects tried to avoid the views towards the worksite and created an opening towards the inner courtyard instead.For the islanders, who are always surrounded by water, a little pond was created in the courtyard so the people can surround the water. In this Community Center, people can gather around the water and relax without visibility of their work site.
- Architect: Hyunjoon Yoo Architects
- Photos: Park Young-chae
- Words: Qianqian
