Jocheonmasil
why
An Old Place Became a New Door that Breathes Life.
An old but unique value needs an action to be discovered and seen by someone, which means that this activity is a door that you need to open by yourself. The door is always closed before you open it, but you can find the door on the inside only when you know who you are exactly, without your habitual routine and prejudice. In this regard, you also have to keep discovering new questions in your daily life, keeping your ears and eyes open for it as Hara Kenya said from his book Design of Design, “To make something new is a creation, but to bring something familiar into the unknown is creation as well.”
Irreplaceable originality will appear when your unique identity thinks of things with your own viewpoint and when you try to find something invisible from others. In other words, you can find your own identity while reflecting inwardly, which will make an impactful difference. This may apply to spaces, locations, and areas. Old spaces and sites also remain closed doors before you look into them. Therefore, you are able to find their original stories and real values when you arrive there and look into them directly.
Since modern society has become more sorted, more people turn away from fundamental values as they blindly pursue new changes. However, Z_Lab, a design group, creates new value in antiquated places by looking into the design of time which has been accumulated in these special locations. Z_Lab found the irreplaceable beauty of Jeju Island in traditional stone houses and protected these island treasures against the stream of thoughtless modern development that has made the island uniform in design. This was possible as the group went a separate way from modern architecture that tries to only serve the practical desires of consumers.
The idea of Z_Lab reached the neighborhood deeply covering the life of Jeju people, which is located in Sinchon-ri, Jocheon, following in the footsteps of Blind Whale and Jocheondaek. The architecture group arranged a traditional stone house in the island which has been the home to a family for four generations, where they hope to find its irreplaceable value and the beauty of the island. The group tried to add a new story into the house which was already beautiful all by itself, without decoration and supplement. Jocheon Masil’s story naturally suggests the experience of the daily life in the island and the beauty of the island itself as if you go around your neighborhood. The group opened a new door for the breathing of the layered time that connects the past with the future by applying the knowledge from past local restorations, such as Blind Whale and Jocheondaek.
Irreplaceable originality will appear when your unique identity thinks of things with your own viewpoint and when you try to find something invisible from others. In other words, you can find your own identity while reflecting inwardly, which will make an impactful difference. This may apply to spaces, locations, and areas. Old spaces and sites also remain closed doors before you look into them. Therefore, you are able to find their original stories and real values when you arrive there and look into them directly.
Since modern society has become more sorted, more people turn away from fundamental values as they blindly pursue new changes. However, Z_Lab, a design group, creates new value in antiquated places by looking into the design of time which has been accumulated in these special locations. Z_Lab found the irreplaceable beauty of Jeju Island in traditional stone houses and protected these island treasures against the stream of thoughtless modern development that has made the island uniform in design. This was possible as the group went a separate way from modern architecture that tries to only serve the practical desires of consumers.
The idea of Z_Lab reached the neighborhood deeply covering the life of Jeju people, which is located in Sinchon-ri, Jocheon, following in the footsteps of Blind Whale and Jocheondaek. The architecture group arranged a traditional stone house in the island which has been the home to a family for four generations, where they hope to find its irreplaceable value and the beauty of the island. The group tried to add a new story into the house which was already beautiful all by itself, without decoration and supplement. Jocheon Masil’s story naturally suggests the experience of the daily life in the island and the beauty of the island itself as if you go around your neighborhood. The group opened a new door for the breathing of the layered time that connects the past with the future by applying the knowledge from past local restorations, such as Blind Whale and Jocheondaek.
people
Those Who Think About what to Leave and what to Change, and Answer the Question of What Jeju Means.
The architect Chung Gu-yon said that architects should think about how to apply new architecture into what has been and what is, which means that to find a sustained value is respect for the land. It is very important to pursue the process of finding and reinterpreting what is. In the book D&DEPARTMENT, Kenmei Nagaoka said, “The human desire is very sensitive and always changes, but what you can reaffirm is who you are in the backgrounds and landscapes of the streets which have been there for a long time and the people who have stayed there.”
The place that has become old and strange to someone else must be revisited, we must take root in these places to become our true selves. Restoration projects are now a well-known trend, but they must recover the life and the story of the place being restored. To take something old, independent, and remarkable and preserve it in a sustainable way attracts real power to the location and to the surrounding land.
Z_Lab has designed Jocheon Masil, opening the door containing stories from many generations and listened to the stream of time rather than changing everything. In other words, the architect group was committed to keeping the balance between what is changed and what is not changed, without artificial techniques, the group smoothly touched-up the old site and approached it naturally. The group also contained the time coming in the following future by connecting the stream of the past and that of the future while preserving many aspects of the site, such as a finger-marked wooden door, old wooden closets and doors that would keep their wear and tear, along with the warm floor.
Z_Lab has made the best effort to preserve and rearrange old aspects of past and the present as an extension of the remodeling work. The architect group connected the times between the past and the present through stone houses which have stood for 200 years while engraving them with creative intersection. This brought new life into the old house which was reborn as a new area people can come to stay temporarily.
The place that has become old and strange to someone else must be revisited, we must take root in these places to become our true selves. Restoration projects are now a well-known trend, but they must recover the life and the story of the place being restored. To take something old, independent, and remarkable and preserve it in a sustainable way attracts real power to the location and to the surrounding land.
Z_Lab has designed Jocheon Masil, opening the door containing stories from many generations and listened to the stream of time rather than changing everything. In other words, the architect group was committed to keeping the balance between what is changed and what is not changed, without artificial techniques, the group smoothly touched-up the old site and approached it naturally. The group also contained the time coming in the following future by connecting the stream of the past and that of the future while preserving many aspects of the site, such as a finger-marked wooden door, old wooden closets and doors that would keep their wear and tear, along with the warm floor.
Z_Lab has made the best effort to preserve and rearrange old aspects of past and the present as an extension of the remodeling work. The architect group connected the times between the past and the present through stone houses which have stood for 200 years while engraving them with creative intersection. This brought new life into the old house which was reborn as a new area people can come to stay temporarily.
location
Sinchon-ri, Jocheon, Jeju Island – Permeates the Everyday Life of Jeju People
Jocheon Masil is located at Sinchon-ri, Jocheon, Jeju Island and is close to the Jeju International Airport. The neighborhood has a wild and fertile field which is called jindeureu by the local people and is close to the rocky coast. The neighborhood acts as a gateway from Jeju to Jocheon but has fewer people and is less developed compared to other neighborhoods in the island. The people here just keep living their daily life.
Sincheon Elementary School and Jocheon Middle School are around the neighborhood, and there are students in groups attending private educational institutes and school buses going to and from schools. You can also realize the difference in the passing of time in the neighborhood when you see the older ladies walking to a senior citizen center. You feel as if you are a stranger as well as a guest in the neighborhood, and nobody will know this feeling in other cities.
When you walk along on the beach, you can find a village. A hackberry tree stands at the entrance of the village, and you can see small buildings and houses located in groups. After passing small buildings and houses walking along a winding stonewall walkway, you can finally find Jocheon Masil, which is located under the walkway and has three buildings in the shape of “ㄷ”—this is the real Jocheon Masil.
The path to Jocheon Masil unfolds in this rhythmic manner. This is a part of the settlement life that has been a resting place for visitors to the island for a long time. This house features stone walls, its irregular arrangements and particular entrance are designed to fight against the strong wind of the island. This is the whole history of the island, design that complies with and simultaneously fights against the constantly changing natural conditions and defines Jeju itself. This house is located at the center of a lonely village and invites us to the daily life where we can fully realize Jeju and its simple atmosphere.
Sincheon Elementary School and Jocheon Middle School are around the neighborhood, and there are students in groups attending private educational institutes and school buses going to and from schools. You can also realize the difference in the passing of time in the neighborhood when you see the older ladies walking to a senior citizen center. You feel as if you are a stranger as well as a guest in the neighborhood, and nobody will know this feeling in other cities.
When you walk along on the beach, you can find a village. A hackberry tree stands at the entrance of the village, and you can see small buildings and houses located in groups. After passing small buildings and houses walking along a winding stonewall walkway, you can finally find Jocheon Masil, which is located under the walkway and has three buildings in the shape of “ㄷ”—this is the real Jocheon Masil.
The path to Jocheon Masil unfolds in this rhythmic manner. This is a part of the settlement life that has been a resting place for visitors to the island for a long time. This house features stone walls, its irregular arrangements and particular entrance are designed to fight against the strong wind of the island. This is the whole history of the island, design that complies with and simultaneously fights against the constantly changing natural conditions and defines Jeju itself. This house is located at the center of a lonely village and invites us to the daily life where we can fully realize Jeju and its simple atmosphere.
MAKING STORY
The construction of Jocheon Masil was conducted by Kim Yoo-jin, the architect of WooWoo Architecture who was born in Jeju and has grown up on the island, from the project’s start to the end. The house owner and Z_Lab, who wanted to keep the original shape of the Jeju stone house as much as possible, needed an architect with delicate touches and craftsmanship that could awaken the value of the old building. The architecture group had successfully completed a previous project, Daily Songdang, so trust was already established.
It was the third collaboration with WooWoo Architecture, following previous works Jocheondaek and Daily Songdang. The team said that they accumulated their experience and knowledge but they had many worries difficulties in this particular job. It has been a long time since the construction of the original stone house, which has been endured in one place for a long time, and was difficult and unpredictable every step of the way. However, Z_Lab and WooWoo Architecture coordinated together with consideration for working alternatives, reviving the attractive elements of the old house with creative solutions that were able to find an intersection where they could minimize the friction between naturalness and artificial changes.
It was the third collaboration with WooWoo Architecture, following previous works Jocheondaek and Daily Songdang. The team said that they accumulated their experience and knowledge but they had many worries difficulties in this particular job. It has been a long time since the construction of the original stone house, which has been endured in one place for a long time, and was difficult and unpredictable every step of the way. However, Z_Lab and WooWoo Architecture coordinated together with consideration for working alternatives, reviving the attractive elements of the old house with creative solutions that were able to find an intersection where they could minimize the friction between naturalness and artificial changes.
Along with Z_Lab, the house owner made a great effort to remodel Jocheon Masil. The owner had become exhausted by the stress of urban life and business. To take a rest in Jeju island with his family, he visited Jocheondaek and was fascinated by its charms. Everything in the house was very nice, such as the kitchen corner where the whole family sat around to eat and the open-air bath where he could enjoy a relaxing bath. Among everything, one of the best aspects was that he could achieve a refreshed feeling that he couldn't find in any luxury hotel waking up the next morning.
When the owner opened his eyes from his bed, he felt a good night’s sleep and well-rested without anything external provoking him, and then he became relieved beyond satisfaction. As he would frequently go on business trips and had grown up in cities exclusively, the coziness and atmosphere of the stone house was a valuable experience for him. He has never forgotten the feeling and has since searched for spaces reflecting what he experienced at Jeju with his wife, eventually creating Jocheon Masil.
When the owner opened his eyes from his bed, he felt a good night’s sleep and well-rested without anything external provoking him, and then he became relieved beyond satisfaction. As he would frequently go on business trips and had grown up in cities exclusively, the coziness and atmosphere of the stone house was a valuable experience for him. He has never forgotten the feeling and has since searched for spaces reflecting what he experienced at Jeju with his wife, eventually creating Jocheon Masil.
SPACE
Meditate the Indeterminate Time of 200 Years.
Jocheon Masil was reborn as a special single-family house stay with a unique nature that only a traditional Jeju house has, containing the stories of the past and present. Each of the three houses facing each other, with a wide yard between them, has a different sense of texture and story to tell. The main building used a double structure that is connected to the previous toenmaru (narrow wooden porch running along the outside), daecheongmaru (the main floored room), and stylobate, naturally highlighting the wonderful taste for the traditions in each step. In particular, the touch and sound the wooden floorboards convey, the weight and depth of long years to the bottom of the foot and to the five senses.
The backyard and the back floor are around the main building and they were a mysterious negative space to prevent the wind from blowing from behind and to be closed to the public by planting the symbolic tree of the house—the positive space used to be the yard. The backyard was designed as a cozy garden in the main building, while maintaining the original feeling of being isolated and closed from the outside. The inside fully attracts the natural scenery of Jeju, allowing you to fall into the deep nature of the island. You can also feel the texture of the wind in the island and the greenness of nature everywhere in the house.
Unlike the main building, the subordinate building was decorated with a modern touch, adding sophisticated and thoughtful details, with a spacious kitchen space, a large square table where the whole family can sit comfortably, a wall-mounted TV, white dome-shaped pendant illuminations, and decks and tables where you can enjoy a barbecue. The architects also decorated this building into a space where everyone can communicate with each other with openness.
On the right side of the subordinate building is a bedroom space separated from the inside. The space has a washstand in the front and a shower room and a bathroom on both sides, which follows a trend that so far has not been much different from other stays. But there is a “cinematic” scene on the subordinate building, which is the old gate connected with the shower room. The architects left the entrance and the gate of the house so that visitors who have crossed to enter the house for more than two hundred years, allows you to open the bolt directly and go out. There is just one action needed to get to the open-air bath, but this action has you feel as if walked into the past as well as the outside of the present, beyond time and space—this unique scene can be experienced only at the Jocheon Masil.
The warehouse also has a unique atmosphere. The space makes a clear difference from any other stay that Z_Lab has constructed. All the old-fashioned elements still remain, offering a space where you feel as if you were caught in a moment in the past, such as the door with a small built-in window to ventilate smoke, the window with twig bars, and the wooden texture of the roof. The wall, where the old texture of the rough soil is alive, and the hinoki bath match well with each other, boasting its existence. The architects kept the old pots in order of size, which has been the case for a long time, and you may surmise how much they were really committed to treating this house with a light touch with their careful hands to decorate it as you look into all the things that they have considered, such as the wire cord hanging from the door handle. The architects of Z_Lab and all their partners have turned the house into a place where you can find the unique feature that time would have inspired on each land and space.
The backyard and the back floor are around the main building and they were a mysterious negative space to prevent the wind from blowing from behind and to be closed to the public by planting the symbolic tree of the house—the positive space used to be the yard. The backyard was designed as a cozy garden in the main building, while maintaining the original feeling of being isolated and closed from the outside. The inside fully attracts the natural scenery of Jeju, allowing you to fall into the deep nature of the island. You can also feel the texture of the wind in the island and the greenness of nature everywhere in the house.
Unlike the main building, the subordinate building was decorated with a modern touch, adding sophisticated and thoughtful details, with a spacious kitchen space, a large square table where the whole family can sit comfortably, a wall-mounted TV, white dome-shaped pendant illuminations, and decks and tables where you can enjoy a barbecue. The architects also decorated this building into a space where everyone can communicate with each other with openness.
On the right side of the subordinate building is a bedroom space separated from the inside. The space has a washstand in the front and a shower room and a bathroom on both sides, which follows a trend that so far has not been much different from other stays. But there is a “cinematic” scene on the subordinate building, which is the old gate connected with the shower room. The architects left the entrance and the gate of the house so that visitors who have crossed to enter the house for more than two hundred years, allows you to open the bolt directly and go out. There is just one action needed to get to the open-air bath, but this action has you feel as if walked into the past as well as the outside of the present, beyond time and space—this unique scene can be experienced only at the Jocheon Masil.
The warehouse also has a unique atmosphere. The space makes a clear difference from any other stay that Z_Lab has constructed. All the old-fashioned elements still remain, offering a space where you feel as if you were caught in a moment in the past, such as the door with a small built-in window to ventilate smoke, the window with twig bars, and the wooden texture of the roof. The wall, where the old texture of the rough soil is alive, and the hinoki bath match well with each other, boasting its existence. The architects kept the old pots in order of size, which has been the case for a long time, and you may surmise how much they were really committed to treating this house with a light touch with their careful hands to decorate it as you look into all the things that they have considered, such as the wire cord hanging from the door handle. The architects of Z_Lab and all their partners have turned the house into a place where you can find the unique feature that time would have inspired on each land and space.
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INTERVIEW
Interview with 'Z_Lab' CEO Joong hyeon Park and Kyung-rok Noh
stayfolio
Jocheonmasil
What makes Jocheon Masil into a special private stay?
Many visitors to Jocheon Masil have already experienced one of our brands, Z_Stay, and they would say that it was great feeling and unforgettable experience. This eventually led the owner to know us. He said to us that he felt well rested and more comfortable than other expensive hotels when he traveled to Jeju Island with his family and stayed in Jocheondaek.
He had traveled overseas many times for business for a long time and experienced various hotels, but we were very thankful for his compliments on the stay saying that the experience was unique. On that day, he met by chance Kim Su-jeong who is the manager of the place and the one who made it in cooperation with us and he naturally thought to make a place like Jocheondaek, talking with her.
He said he wanted to create a place that “he” wanted to rest rather than just catering to others, which was quite impressive to us. The nature of our stay project puts profitability first, but we also see what kind of value and sincerity you have at the root of your idea. The idea and direction of his idea suited our thoughts as well. And most of all, we really liked his energy and driving force. So we went down to Jeju Island, believing in him. We finally saw Jocheon Masil and had no choice but to be fascinated by this house.
He had traveled overseas many times for business for a long time and experienced various hotels, but we were very thankful for his compliments on the stay saying that the experience was unique. On that day, he met by chance Kim Su-jeong who is the manager of the place and the one who made it in cooperation with us and he naturally thought to make a place like Jocheondaek, talking with her.
He said he wanted to create a place that “he” wanted to rest rather than just catering to others, which was quite impressive to us. The nature of our stay project puts profitability first, but we also see what kind of value and sincerity you have at the root of your idea. The idea and direction of his idea suited our thoughts as well. And most of all, we really liked his energy and driving force. So we went down to Jeju Island, believing in him. We finally saw Jocheon Masil and had no choice but to be fascinated by this house.
How did you feel when you first reached Jocheon Masil?
I still clearly and vividly remember when I first saw Jocheon Masil because it was very difficult for me to find a house keeping its original shape and beauty like the Jocheon Masil does, even though I have seen a lot of Jeju stone houses while completing many projects in the island. It was my first time at such an old house and I was very excited. As soon as I saw it, I started sketching it myself because I really wanted to show this house to my team members to discuss it quickly. It is also helpful for me to come up with new spaces in the future when I organize my feelings at the moment.
Jocheon Masil was one of the good cases in space and local area restoration in Jeju Island, and I assume that you must have been concerned about what you would keep and what you would change.
Jocheon Masil almost maintained the original shape of Jeju stone houses and it was also a place where four generations of a family have lived for two hundred years. The stories and influence of the residents who have lived in the house were in every corner of the house, such as gates, doorframes, warehouses, and stone walls broken by the Jeju wind. Furthermore, I thought that everything in the house was so beautiful. The house has a simple beauty and was beautiful all by itself, so it does not need any added artificial decoration.
I first examine how much the house or space has its independent personality beyond the value of restoration or up-cycling when I start such a restoration project like Jocheon Masil. In other words, I have to come up with an idea where visitors feel the original value that the house has rather than simply keeping and reserving the house as it is. In addition, a project requires more work than new construction because you have to work a comfortable environment into the old structure rather than building it with the intent of being comfortable.
Jocheon Masil suited the idea. At the moment when I first reached the house and saw it, I came up with the idea that I must preserve it. In particular, when I walked into the main building, I realized that there were parts that I was not able to perfectly imitate the old feelings and structures. The originality, which has been 200 years in the making in every corner of the house was irreplaceable for me. The layers of time and the traces of life were filled in the house, in the touch of the old floor, the wood closet placed at the corner of the wall, the old fashion wallpaper, and even hangers and clothes hangers. It was the particular brightness given by the material property of characteristic materials. Therefore, I am deeply concerned when I have to remove such things even though I want to leave them, and I try to leave them metaphorically.
I first examine how much the house or space has its independent personality beyond the value of restoration or up-cycling when I start such a restoration project like Jocheon Masil. In other words, I have to come up with an idea where visitors feel the original value that the house has rather than simply keeping and reserving the house as it is. In addition, a project requires more work than new construction because you have to work a comfortable environment into the old structure rather than building it with the intent of being comfortable.
Jocheon Masil suited the idea. At the moment when I first reached the house and saw it, I came up with the idea that I must preserve it. In particular, when I walked into the main building, I realized that there were parts that I was not able to perfectly imitate the old feelings and structures. The originality, which has been 200 years in the making in every corner of the house was irreplaceable for me. The layers of time and the traces of life were filled in the house, in the touch of the old floor, the wood closet placed at the corner of the wall, the old fashion wallpaper, and even hangers and clothes hangers. It was the particular brightness given by the material property of characteristic materials. Therefore, I am deeply concerned when I have to remove such things even though I want to leave them, and I try to leave them metaphorically.
I think that there must have been an extremely difficult process what would not be revealed to create a high-quality space. Was anything particularly difficult about the construction or demolition of the house?
From the planning stage, the restoration project has many difficulties such as incorrect dimensions and other problems. I know old houses naturally have these difficulties, this is why I always try to leave possibilities open instead of finding the “perfect piece for the puzzle”. When one thing goes wrong, I have to fix it with consideration of other matters, which means that the work is extremely difficult. Those are the hard parts. However, our difficulties are enough to endure, compared to the hard work of the field workers because they have to follow other people’s schedules and plans. The short answer is that we just develop tolerance for the work are not embarrassed by unexpected events.
When I first engaged in the work to remodel Jeju's old houses, the work was very dangerous because the houses naturally collapsed many times. However, Jocheon Masil was not in danger of collapsing because the previous house owner made a great effort to manage and repair the house very well. Instead, I was mostly sorry for remodeling this house. In particular, the warehouse was a special space for us even if we have seen and experienced a lot of other Jeju houses. In this perspective, our team had to be deeply concerned about how to put a special program into the house and decided to keep everything as it has been according to the idea of the new house owner, from the furnace and pots to the soot of the rafters on the ceiling. We just added a hinoki bath even though we carefully selected the items in the warehouse.
When I first engaged in the work to remodel Jeju's old houses, the work was very dangerous because the houses naturally collapsed many times. However, Jocheon Masil was not in danger of collapsing because the previous house owner made a great effort to manage and repair the house very well. Instead, I was mostly sorry for remodeling this house. In particular, the warehouse was a special space for us even if we have seen and experienced a lot of other Jeju houses. In this perspective, our team had to be deeply concerned about how to put a special program into the house and decided to keep everything as it has been according to the idea of the new house owner, from the furnace and pots to the soot of the rafters on the ceiling. We just added a hinoki bath even though we carefully selected the items in the warehouse.
The space beyond the gate on the subordinating building was so overwhelming. I am sure that you have had a problem with its naming due to its so many reversal attractions. How do you feel about this?
It took a long time for us to name the house Jocheon Masil. Like all the starting projects, we wanted to express the characteristics of the space in the name as much as we strived to work on it, fully fascinated by the attraction of this old house. The house owner wanted a name with a stronger local color, such as Jocheondaek. So the word that came out after a series of compromises was “Masil” as I came up with the life style of Kinfolk and Hygge in planning this place,
This name is a Korean reinterpretation of the style where we cherish the time when we spend with our loved ones and pursue a slow and simple life. We also wanted to include the feeling of traveling to a small neighborhood in the name. We would attempt to share the hidden meaning of masil, which is translated into a picnic in English. Furthermore, we hoped to extend the space brand called masil as we can go on a picnic—because we can keep this series in other regions. If you look at the logo of Jocheon Masil, you will know that we have branded its name with the concept emphasizing masil.
This name is a Korean reinterpretation of the style where we cherish the time when we spend with our loved ones and pursue a slow and simple life. We also wanted to include the feeling of traveling to a small neighborhood in the name. We would attempt to share the hidden meaning of masil, which is translated into a picnic in English. Furthermore, we hoped to extend the space brand called masil as we can go on a picnic—because we can keep this series in other regions. If you look at the logo of Jocheon Masil, you will know that we have branded its name with the concept emphasizing masil.
The branding work of the space in Jocheon Masil was also so interesting, such as introductions in every corner of the house, the touch of fabrics, the Jinkwang Onggi style plate (Korean traditional pottery), and a Jeju knife finely placed in a desk.
There was no disagreement to select the handwriting in a small booklet that introduces Jocheon Masil and the logo of Masil. We also worked hard for a long time to find the perfect handwriting for the space. So we wanted to capture as much of what someone wrote as possible, and we wanted to doodle and leave the traces of the process on each page as the old traces of the previous life in the house and the layers of time have filled.
We also selected the fabric that exudes a sense of elegance to print it out and introduced how to use the open-air bath and the Jeju knife, which was made by the Wonil blacksmith, which are almost completely gone nowadays, because we wanted to express the feeling and atmosphere that Jocheon Masil only has. I think that the feeling of this touch is very important for an experience where you directly come and stay in the space one night, because all the accumulated experiences come up with an ultimate indescribable feeling that it was very good visit, like the feeling of warm blankets, the soft feeling of sitting on a sofa, or appreciating the strong material in the property’s furniture, stones, and old things—which is very important when we design the interior and brand the space of Z_Stay.
Furthermore, the cooperation with other brands enable the current Jocheon Masil to become a consistent identity boasting its unique atmosphere and mood by drawing the vitality of the inside and the outside, with the fabrics of Cotone, which has doubled the quiet mood of stone houses, furniture from General Gray, which has been permeated into the house with its clear feeling, the illuminations of Limas, which has enchased the light and shadow, and the landscape architecture of Dewsong Place, which has drawn the vitality on the outside. We all joined the project in the hope of creating new values in the old site which have been here for two hundred years, and as a result, we were able to create this current Jocheon Masil.
We also selected the fabric that exudes a sense of elegance to print it out and introduced how to use the open-air bath and the Jeju knife, which was made by the Wonil blacksmith, which are almost completely gone nowadays, because we wanted to express the feeling and atmosphere that Jocheon Masil only has. I think that the feeling of this touch is very important for an experience where you directly come and stay in the space one night, because all the accumulated experiences come up with an ultimate indescribable feeling that it was very good visit, like the feeling of warm blankets, the soft feeling of sitting on a sofa, or appreciating the strong material in the property’s furniture, stones, and old things—which is very important when we design the interior and brand the space of Z_Stay.
Furthermore, the cooperation with other brands enable the current Jocheon Masil to become a consistent identity boasting its unique atmosphere and mood by drawing the vitality of the inside and the outside, with the fabrics of Cotone, which has doubled the quiet mood of stone houses, furniture from General Gray, which has been permeated into the house with its clear feeling, the illuminations of Limas, which has enchased the light and shadow, and the landscape architecture of Dewsong Place, which has drawn the vitality on the outside. We all joined the project in the hope of creating new values in the old site which have been here for two hundred years, and as a result, we were able to create this current Jocheon Masil.
What theme for Jeju do you want to keep in the future and what direction to take the island?
It is still difficult for us to define what Jeju Island is by itself. I think that this matter is not easily answered. It is important to take the time to consider the unique culture and scenery on this island and to seek the identity of the island. It is also our task to experience the identity of the future. I think the life and identity of the island will continue to change, and the way to answer questions such as its history and look will be different depending on each person's experience and thoughts.
But I think that I have developed some perspectives and views to filter parts that don’t align with Jeju. I hope that the artificial and unnatural development of the future will not hurt the identity of this beautiful island. I want that the island to be developed in a leisurely manner which is in harmony with the beauty of the island.
But I think that I have developed some perspectives and views to filter parts that don’t align with Jeju. I hope that the artificial and unnatural development of the future will not hurt the identity of this beautiful island. I want that the island to be developed in a leisurely manner which is in harmony with the beauty of the island.
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Local Destination
Dalgmeoleu Coastal Walkway
This coastal walkway was named Dalgmeoleu because the walkway looks like a chicken digging a hole. Along with the Namsaengi pond and the strange scenery of its village, the coastal walkway is a place where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the sea in Jeju Island. The beautiful view of silver grass and sea will come to you at the octagonal pavilion on the coastal walkway.
Hamdeok Beach, Seowoobong
Hamdeok Beach, called the “Maldives of Korea” because of its white sand against emerald colored waters. A place where you can enjoy Jeju's lively night atmosphere, your eyes filled with clear turquoise waters. It’s nothing short of spectacular if you see the Hamdeok beach and Mt. Han-Ra at the top of Seowoobong.
STAY’s recommended
Local Restaurant
Jocheonsoosan
The restaurant is under the Jocheon fishing industry where you can eat fresh sashimi that the locals have caught. Takeaway only. This restaurant has been cared for by the Jocheon-ri town people for a long time. So the freshness and taste are guaranteed.
Dongkareum
The restaurant serves spicy nakji-bokkeum (Stir-fried Octopus) and the building is remodeled a Jeju’s old house in front of the beach. Nakji-bokkeum is their only menu item, but the bean paste stew with red-banded lobster is served for free as a side dish. Sitting at a table near a window where you can see the scenery and eat spicy and chewy nakji-bokkeum is ideal.
Akkeun restaurant
Akkeun means ‘small’ in Jeju’s dialect. The restaurant is as small as its name, but the husband’s tasty food and his wife’s smile make us visit the place time and time again. This restaurant is a favorite haunt of local residents and you can enjoy various pastas and salads with fresh ingredients of Jeju.
STAY
The Pasts is Not a Wall but a Door
Sinchon-ri, Jocheon looks different from the Jeju I’ve seen so far. It was not a tourist destination, but a place where the people of Jeju lived their daily lives. You could even accidentally pass by Jocheon Masil, because it’s deeply embedded in the town. When you pass a winding low wall of stone, open the door of Jocheon Masil and enter the front yard, you feel that you are really at a hidden house. You can feel this even more when you are at the front yard with the bright lighting and surrounded by three old houses. It’s like you are arrived at your old home town that you’ve forgotten for a long time because of your hectic life. It was strange, but any strange feelings disappear when I stepped into the main entrance.
We first entered an outbuilding and its attached building on the left. With soft music and dense, fragrant air, everything in this space seemed to welcome us. There was a characteristic sequence in the inside each of the three houses. It feels like opening doors in layers. It was the same when I entered here the first time and also the main building and outbuilding. The flow of the main building that leads the yard, toenmaru (narrow floor), taechong maru (big floor), and stereobate-backyard was quite traditional, but the outbuilding was different. It was modern and there was a unique variation.
In the flow leading to a yard-attached building-outside deck, there was a sequence that blurs separation of space to freely cross inside and outside. And inside of it, there were scenes of people opening the door and entering at every step from outside. At the end of the pathway, there was an open-air bath when I unlocked an old wooden gate and entered. I felt as if I opened the door from present to the past and walked into a different time.
Uniqueness which is created by time at an old house site is discovered and that uniqueness makes us open the door so that it can be experienced by other people. The act of looking into the past properly made a door from what was once a wall. It allowed us to check the connectivity and continuity of the past and present and open the door by ourselves. It lets us touch through all doors and windows affected by time, wind, sunshine and rain at a boundary between inside and outside. Because there's very little artificial interference in this reinterpreted and changed home, and a welcome modern feeling in the rest. They were melding into each other and giving off a complementary naturalness.
Just because you stay in a nice place for a while, it doesn't mean you have a dramatic experience that the walls in your life turn into doors. But it’s certain that you can see again the influence left by the past and time and think again about the style at Jocheon Masil. If you feel the unmeasurable age depth of over 200 years and leave yourself to experience something bigger than what you typically see in your daily life, you can see a whole new you.
Stay with this feeling and you can build inner resilience as you realize how meaningful you are because you are an important piece to everything. It installs a sense of connectivity. So a night in a traditional house of Jocheon Masil opened the door of my long-forgotten daily life and another world.
We first entered an outbuilding and its attached building on the left. With soft music and dense, fragrant air, everything in this space seemed to welcome us. There was a characteristic sequence in the inside each of the three houses. It feels like opening doors in layers. It was the same when I entered here the first time and also the main building and outbuilding. The flow of the main building that leads the yard, toenmaru (narrow floor), taechong maru (big floor), and stereobate-backyard was quite traditional, but the outbuilding was different. It was modern and there was a unique variation.
In the flow leading to a yard-attached building-outside deck, there was a sequence that blurs separation of space to freely cross inside and outside. And inside of it, there were scenes of people opening the door and entering at every step from outside. At the end of the pathway, there was an open-air bath when I unlocked an old wooden gate and entered. I felt as if I opened the door from present to the past and walked into a different time.
Uniqueness which is created by time at an old house site is discovered and that uniqueness makes us open the door so that it can be experienced by other people. The act of looking into the past properly made a door from what was once a wall. It allowed us to check the connectivity and continuity of the past and present and open the door by ourselves. It lets us touch through all doors and windows affected by time, wind, sunshine and rain at a boundary between inside and outside. Because there's very little artificial interference in this reinterpreted and changed home, and a welcome modern feeling in the rest. They were melding into each other and giving off a complementary naturalness.
Just because you stay in a nice place for a while, it doesn't mean you have a dramatic experience that the walls in your life turn into doors. But it’s certain that you can see again the influence left by the past and time and think again about the style at Jocheon Masil. If you feel the unmeasurable age depth of over 200 years and leave yourself to experience something bigger than what you typically see in your daily life, you can see a whole new you.
Stay with this feeling and you can build inner resilience as you realize how meaningful you are because you are an important piece to everything. It installs a sense of connectivity. So a night in a traditional house of Jocheon Masil opened the door of my long-forgotten daily life and another world.
4 POINT OF VIEW
ORIGINALITY
Correct Meaning of 'Re-vitalize'.
Old places, buildings and a lot of residential spaces that would lag behind the pace of development are abandoned, but could be a part of a warm life for others and a place where a family’s history is created. Visitors can see and experience the perfect example of an up-cycled building and regional regeneration with their own eyes at Jocheon Masil by Z_lab. They can review the value. Let’s learn about a place, its locality and a way on how to look back into the past left by Z_lab that created Jocheon Masil.
DESIGN
Capture the Time of Past and Present into One Space.
Z_lab discovered irreplaceable Jeju style at Jeju’s traditional house called doljip (stone house) and developed an inherent language to the space. They added their sensibility and interpretation to allow people to naturally approach traces left by time. Let’s experience everyday lives of people in Jeju and the Jeju style through a private stay at Jocheon Masil.
Hospitality
About One and Only
Why do people fall in and indulge in sustainable value consumption by experiencing other people's stories and regions?
I think that’s because of the characteristics, uniqueness and originality that can’t be replaced easily. Locality remains the last immeasurable bastion of sense in an era where money can buy space, atmosphere, and tastes. Making something out of nothing is not the only form of creation. Let’s try to find something out of something and use that sprit from Z_lab.
PRICE
Have a First-hand Experience worth More than Staying and Create and Irreplaceable Experience
This place couldn’t be more perfect for whole families spanning three generations. Of course, the price is not easy to afford. Just because the whole family went on a trip together and enjoyed each other’s company, doesn’t guarantee the experience will be stamped in their memory forever. However, a night in Jeju's traditional house Jocheon Masil, which has been around for more than two hundred years, can confirm these satisfying experiences and create memories that no special luxury hotel can match. It’s a priceless experience.
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- Stay Name
- Jocheonmasil
- Stay Type
- K - Rental house
- Contact information
- Address
- 22, Sinchonbuk 3-gil, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, Republic of Korea
- Guests / No. of Room
- 6~6 / 1
- Price
- US$ 324.11 ~ US$ 396.13
- Check-in / out
- 17:00 / 12:00
- Feature
- BBQ facilities, Projector or TV, Kitchenette, Tub (ex. Jacuzzi, Hinoki)
PHOTO BY Lee Byung-Keun | -