ZEROPLACE
why
The Place for Fulfilling Aesthetics of Emptiness and Value of Slowing Down
A pension hotel is one of the things that people look up the most when traveling the countryside. Tough competition brings up various concepts of the pension hotels in the market. However, newly built pension hotels tend to focus on filling up the space with too much excess. They expend in number with a lock of communication with the local people and community.
The property introduced here is little different. Remodeled rather than newly built, has been recreated from the space of a family’s life. The purpose and the process of the stay started from the idea of providing shelter to those who do creative things by lighting up their enthusiasm.
The designer of the location named the place Zeroplace based on the name of 25-year-old restaurant Young Garden. While the outside is covered with vintage feel, you will enjoy warm atmosphere of a sophisticated, more contemporary space inside with white bricks and birch furniture.
The bathtub in the middle of the room is made of soft material that it gives you a snug feeling as if you are lying down on a sofa. It is a perfect place for healing. More than half of Zeroplace’s main consumers are the ones who do creatives things, so called creators. They leave memories of the place with their drawings, pictures or writings. They come to Zeroplace for different reasons, however the aesthetic of emptiness and value of slowing down.
The property introduced here is little different. Remodeled rather than newly built, has been recreated from the space of a family’s life. The purpose and the process of the stay started from the idea of providing shelter to those who do creative things by lighting up their enthusiasm.
The designer of the location named the place Zeroplace based on the name of 25-year-old restaurant Young Garden. While the outside is covered with vintage feel, you will enjoy warm atmosphere of a sophisticated, more contemporary space inside with white bricks and birch furniture.
The bathtub in the middle of the room is made of soft material that it gives you a snug feeling as if you are lying down on a sofa. It is a perfect place for healing. More than half of Zeroplace’s main consumers are the ones who do creatives things, so called creators. They leave memories of the place with their drawings, pictures or writings. They come to Zeroplace for different reasons, however the aesthetic of emptiness and value of slowing down.
people
The Story of Three Men Who Got to Know Each Other in the Senior-Junior Relationship and then Realized Their Dreams with Zeroplace
The founders of Zeroplace, Lee Sang-mook, Noh Kyung-rok and Park Jung-hyun, who met each other as seniors and juniors at the Department of Architecture of the same university and acted together as members in band club share memories of their times. Since they all studied architecture, they had a dream of building a fine structure together. While building their own careers after graduation, it came to an opportunity to recreate Young Garden, a 25-year-old restaurant that Lee’s parents had operated.
Lee’s parents suggested their son to create new type of building rather than a restaurant for the sake of enjoying country life. Soon after, Lee contacted Noh and Park. They made up their minds to realize their own belief on architecture as if they were pledging the Oath of the Peach Garden. It was great opportunity for them, for they longed for a new project even though they were working at companies. Building a new structure was their first option, but because of some disadvantages, they decided to go for remodeling and developed the design in six months.
While working at companies during the day, the real work continued at night. We shared our thoughts via a private blog with writings and sketches whenever a new idea came up. The three worked in perfect harmony. They craved for new things. That is the reason why they targeted creators, so that the place can be their shelter and playground.
The three of them were not always in agreement, however. They knew from college experiences that good alternatives come from each other’s decision making. It helped them develop a design based on trust. They brought creative inspiration to the old restaurant by establishing principle on what should remain and what should change within budget. Zeroplace became their first partnership project and now they founded a company named Z_Lab, Zeroplace Design Lab, immersing themselves in keeping the one and only place creative.
Lee’s parents suggested their son to create new type of building rather than a restaurant for the sake of enjoying country life. Soon after, Lee contacted Noh and Park. They made up their minds to realize their own belief on architecture as if they were pledging the Oath of the Peach Garden. It was great opportunity for them, for they longed for a new project even though they were working at companies. Building a new structure was their first option, but because of some disadvantages, they decided to go for remodeling and developed the design in six months.
While working at companies during the day, the real work continued at night. We shared our thoughts via a private blog with writings and sketches whenever a new idea came up. The three worked in perfect harmony. They craved for new things. That is the reason why they targeted creators, so that the place can be their shelter and playground.
The three of them were not always in agreement, however. They knew from college experiences that good alternatives come from each other’s decision making. It helped them develop a design based on trust. They brought creative inspiration to the old restaurant by establishing principle on what should remain and what should change within budget. Zeroplace became their first partnership project and now they founded a company named Z_Lab, Zeroplace Design Lab, immersing themselves in keeping the one and only place creative.
location
Zeroplace, Blending in Like and Old Humble Pine Tree with a Background of Lake Hwangnak and Mt. Gaya
Zeroplace, located in Haemi-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, is conveniently located. It has great accessibility, ninety minutes from Seoul to Haemi IC on the West Coast Highway and sixty minutes from Cheonan Asan KTX Station. It is close to quiet and peaceful touristic places such as Haemieupseong, which was recently visited by the Pope, Gaesimsa, Sudeoksa, Masion d’ Lee Ungno and Ami Art Museum.
Above all, Zeroplace, facing Lake Hwangnak which bears resemblance to Lake Como in Italy and Mt. Gaya with its scenery spreading out like a folding screen, brings out mysterious atmosphere just like a place where you put down everything and go back to zero as its name suggests.
Sangmook’s parents came down here to open a restaurant with beautiful gardening twenty-five years ago. Zeroplace’s biggest attraction is the well-kept garden. Visitors get fluttered with pine trees, flower trees and wild flowers that bloom all four seasons with beautiful colors.
Zeroplace with a tranquil rural scene where there is no bus available is a resting place to those who dream of travel and a perfect place to present the energy of healing to them.
Above all, Zeroplace, facing Lake Hwangnak which bears resemblance to Lake Como in Italy and Mt. Gaya with its scenery spreading out like a folding screen, brings out mysterious atmosphere just like a place where you put down everything and go back to zero as its name suggests.
Sangmook’s parents came down here to open a restaurant with beautiful gardening twenty-five years ago. Zeroplace’s biggest attraction is the well-kept garden. Visitors get fluttered with pine trees, flower trees and wild flowers that bloom all four seasons with beautiful colors.
Zeroplace with a tranquil rural scene where there is no bus available is a resting place to those who dream of travel and a perfect place to present the energy of healing to them.
MAKING STORY
Construction of Zeroplace was executed within a short period of three months in an efficient way. Having limited budget, direct undertaking work was the only option. Since three people who participated in the design had to work at regular jobs, they had no choice but to endure busy schedules supervising the construction on Friday, Saturday and Sunday while using days off on Fridays. Considering it was their first time remodeling, there were variables when tearing down the building even though they carefully prepared. Therefore, they came up with better alternatives while working cooperatively with construction engineers at the location.
The front facade was the part where most effort was put into. The three owners argued the most on how much they retain the impression of the old building. They left the arch windows on the first floor, the tiles on the outer walls, and the balconies on the second and third floors, but added new impressions with steel balustrade and galvalume. They restrained themselves for the use of materials as much as possible and blended in with nature by letting the natural color of the material exposed show.
The front facade was the part where most effort was put into. The three owners argued the most on how much they retain the impression of the old building. They left the arch windows on the first floor, the tiles on the outer walls, and the balconies on the second and third floors, but added new impressions with steel balustrade and galvalume. They restrained themselves for the use of materials as much as possible and blended in with nature by letting the natural color of the material exposed show.
From a design point of view, three men tried to capture value of transforming old into newness rather than a mixture of old and new things. They emptied the place where they wanted to present new things and restrained themselves so that key features of the old building can be appreciated. Big windows which capture the landscape of lake, mountain and garden and an expanded terrace aimed for bringing out harmony and communication between nature and the building.
The surroundings of Zeroplace was beautiful in and of itself, however the red tiles covering the building were alien to the landscape. Thinking that remodeling is about sustaining the old building’s own characteristic and history in some way or other, the three men made a bold decision taking off the outer wall tiles rather than adding. As a result, a sedimentary layer of time came into view and became a dramatic factor in harmony with its surroundings. It became connected with nature organically by revealing the track of time blending in with surroundings humbly.
The surroundings of Zeroplace was beautiful in and of itself, however the red tiles covering the building were alien to the landscape. Thinking that remodeling is about sustaining the old building’s own characteristic and history in some way or other, the three men made a bold decision taking off the outer wall tiles rather than adding. As a result, a sedimentary layer of time came into view and became a dramatic factor in harmony with its surroundings. It became connected with nature organically by revealing the track of time blending in with surroundings humbly.
SPACE
Embracing New Value of Generation in Open Space!
Zeroplace wanted to be an emotion charging station where passionate creators of the generation pursue new emotions. While the five guest rooms intended to be a healing space, the café space on the first floor, which was drastically emptied, intended to entice the interchange of emotions and value sharing among creators in multiple programs such as galleries, a library, and a grand bar. In the open space, the new programs wanted to inspire creativeness for the creators so that they could take their first step with passion and will for life.
The beginning of the three owners started with desire for a new space. They wish to continuously work with new creators making meaningful works via various interactions. Zeroplace intended to become a shelter and a charging station for exhausted creators in need of inspiration. More than 50% of guests visiting Zeroplace are creators and artists.
In addition, the names of rooms consist of combination of '+', '-', '0' and '1'. Cafe 'Plus Minus Zero' gives warm first impressions to visitors. Tea and meals are served on the Grand Bar in the middle of community room and anyone can get books about design, travel and art on the waffle-shaped birch bookcase. These days, various works of creators who have stayed at Zeroplace are exhibited, building interaction among traveling creators.
Rooms on the second and third floors offer a healing moment for body and mind with restrained designs, furniture placed in the right place, and music selected by three owners' taste. Zeroplace started its beginning with a desire to be a shelter and emotion charging station for creators. Creators can be an art directors, designers, copy writers, photographers, illustrators, writers, composers, painters, architects, dancers, or editors who crave for new motivation, enjoy challenges which others can’t even dream of and chase for new desires rather than settle for the present.
The beginning of the three owners started with desire for a new space. They wish to continuously work with new creators making meaningful works via various interactions. Zeroplace intended to become a shelter and a charging station for exhausted creators in need of inspiration. More than 50% of guests visiting Zeroplace are creators and artists.
In addition, the names of rooms consist of combination of '+', '-', '0' and '1'. Cafe 'Plus Minus Zero' gives warm first impressions to visitors. Tea and meals are served on the Grand Bar in the middle of community room and anyone can get books about design, travel and art on the waffle-shaped birch bookcase. These days, various works of creators who have stayed at Zeroplace are exhibited, building interaction among traveling creators.
Rooms on the second and third floors offer a healing moment for body and mind with restrained designs, furniture placed in the right place, and music selected by three owners' taste. Zeroplace started its beginning with a desire to be a shelter and emotion charging station for creators. Creators can be an art directors, designers, copy writers, photographers, illustrators, writers, composers, painters, architects, dancers, or editors who crave for new motivation, enjoy challenges which others can’t even dream of and chase for new desires rather than settle for the present.
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INTERVIEW
stayfolio
ZEROPLACE
What was the biggest reason to convert Young Garden into Zeroplace?
Young Garden started as a home to my family. It was also a restaurant loved by the neighborhood. Since opening the Suhwarim pension hotel in 2008, my parents had difficult times running both the pension hotel and the restaurant at the same time. There were less frequent customers visiting the restaurant. My family tried many ways to rent Young Garden, but it was actually not easy due to the garden, flowers, trees, etc. that my mother had been dedicated to growing for 20 years. In early 2011, after much consideration and discussion, we decided to remodel Young Garden by ourselves.
How was the design process of ZeroPlace?
I was starting to lose excitement after graduation and working for a company. My brother and I needed new stimulus and thought that the Young Garden remodeling project would be a good opportunity for both of us. Since March 2011, we started to share and develop ideas. At that time, our blog played a key channel for communication. We maximized each other's strengths introducing new concepts into Young Garden as if we were Steve Jobs and Wozniak. We were more than satisfied when we came up with name 'Zeroplace', thinking that it is a place to put down everything and go back to '0' along with the dual meaning of Young Garden.
What was the design concept for Zeroplace?
It had the concept of emptying, taking out, minimizing and restraining. We wanted to empty as much as we could. Steve Jobs said simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. After leaving out only the structure, I went back to '0' and started to develop the idea of space construction. Minimal & Vintage. I wanted to show the history of 25 years’ worth of time in the most natural way, even though it would not be suitable to compare Young Garden to a well-aged wine. Furthermore, I wanted to add newness to the old building's concept of time by taking out the essence of the building and putting in a new interpretation and creative thoughts. It would not be limited to just a physical aspect, but also programs aimed to bring out newness from the old. In the meantime, it is Minimal & Vintage that we have redefined to ensure that the aesthetics of simplicity are not lost.
I was interested by collaboration with the creators! I wonder how the collaboration with the furniture brand Kaare Klint was made.
We have met numerous creators such as those who we came to know through Zeroplace, our friends Kaare Klint, Mushroom Mate, Limas and so on. We were hoping Zeroplace to be an emotion charging station for creators longing for something and fulfilling desires for something new. We created a means of communication through ZeroPlace, and we were able to grow by sharing each other's works by communication. Kaare Klint was the brand we had great synergy with among the creators. Their emotion blended well with that of Zeroplace and above all they appreciated the joy of mingling and sharing. We became their biggest client and put a smile on their face with a pleasing outcome. We still have a good relationship with them constantly working on diverse collaborations together.
The entire first floor is a café. How important is a common space for this location?
It should gratify the five senses to stimulate creators' emotions, not just in a physical way. When thinking about cafés, we wanted it to be a comfortable space like a lounge rather than just a café. We believed that even name itself '±0 café', the feeling you get from the appearance when entering, the sound of music and pleasant aroma of coffee and all the books, magazine and props should be specially selected and properly displayed. Perhaps 'naturally' be better expression than 'thoroughly'.
What is the management philosophy of Zeroplace?
Young people in the city tend to live really busy lives these days. We have been in the same situation as them and sometime feel like we do not have time to look back on ourselves. Knowing how one day for themselves can be priceless, we wanted to present a place of rest and healing as gift as long as they stay. We wanted to inspire them not only with physical offerings such as emotional music or a soft bathtub, but also with our stories. More and more people began to visit Zeroplace multiple times, perhaps because of these efforts, consequently we dream of another passionate project to present them as gift.
What tourist spots and restaurants would you recommend?
ZeroPlace is mostly visited by those who want to enjoy a time for healing with a quiet and still vibe. I would like to recommend Ami Art Museum at Dangjin, Masion d' Lee Ungno at Hongseong and Haemieupseong as healing spots you can enjoy along with Zeroplace. They are alike in a way that there lies the aesthetic of emptiness rather than overcrowding, and people can enjoy a scent of culture with high-quality content. As for gourmet restaurants, I want to recommend Ttukbaegi in front of Eupseong and the traditional tavern in Eupseong. Also, I think people should really visit Sansu Green Onion Kimchi Eel restaurant which is getting famous through the media.
STAY’s recommended
Local Destination
Dangjin's Ami Art Museum
A museum attracting with quiet and still atmosphere inducing the beauty of a couple
Gaesimsa Temple with beautiful giant cherry trees
Gaesimsa Temple with a magnificent view of giant cheery trees in May reminding you of paradise
STAY’s recommended
Local Restaurant
Eupseong Ttukbaegi in front of Haemieupseong
A famous restaurant specialized in Ttukbaegi, representing Haemi region along with Yeongseonggak
Taste of the original! Sansu Green Onion Kimchi Eel
Haemi's famous restaurant recognized by the media with amazing combination of green onion Kimchi and eel
STAY
Zeroplace Presenting a Time of Healing, Away from the Stimulating Life of the City
Gayasan Mountain blocks the noise of the world like a folding screen, and close by Hwangrak Lake listens to the troubles of visitors quietly like in a confession room. Anyone can put everything down and go back to ‘0’ in Zeroplace surrounded with such scenery. It has attempted an organic connection with nature utilizing empty space. In addition, added vintage elements keep the old building’s memories and beauty by distinguishing between what is to be kept and what changes over time.
The concept of Minimal & Vintage also leads to the interior. They chose the brand Furnigram that stands out the beauty of temperance and another brand Kaare Klint with the sensitivity of Nordic vintage style. They also created a bright and warm atmosphere with birch trees and walnuts and improved the dignity with spring pipe hangers and unique kitchen furniture based on the lineup of existing furniture.
What they considered the most important was the bathtub. They actually chose the soft bathtub of White Spa, which has a flowing curve design as well as an excellent soft texture. It is strongly recommended to listen to Michelle Shaprow’s ‘Back Down to Earth’ when you enjoy spa here. This is because you can get out of your busy life and then enjoy the perfect healing time while you listen to the music.
People usually do not say goodbye when they leave Zeroplace. Instead they say ‘I’ll be back’ and leave as if it’s their home. How good would it be if I could go back to the house this evening and get to a peaceful sleep? It looks like a feeling of tranquility that my body is filled with warmth as if I returned to my mother’s womb. A special day in Zeroplace, a space in which a time of healing is presented makes visitors feel the happiness of life and the value of leisurely life again.
The concept of Minimal & Vintage also leads to the interior. They chose the brand Furnigram that stands out the beauty of temperance and another brand Kaare Klint with the sensitivity of Nordic vintage style. They also created a bright and warm atmosphere with birch trees and walnuts and improved the dignity with spring pipe hangers and unique kitchen furniture based on the lineup of existing furniture.
What they considered the most important was the bathtub. They actually chose the soft bathtub of White Spa, which has a flowing curve design as well as an excellent soft texture. It is strongly recommended to listen to Michelle Shaprow’s ‘Back Down to Earth’ when you enjoy spa here. This is because you can get out of your busy life and then enjoy the perfect healing time while you listen to the music.
People usually do not say goodbye when they leave Zeroplace. Instead they say ‘I’ll be back’ and leave as if it’s their home. How good would it be if I could go back to the house this evening and get to a peaceful sleep? It looks like a feeling of tranquility that my body is filled with warmth as if I returned to my mother’s womb. A special day in Zeroplace, a space in which a time of healing is presented makes visitors feel the happiness of life and the value of leisurely life again.
4 POINT OF VIEW
ORIGINALITY
New Life of a 25-year-old Building
Zeroplace which was transformed from a place where parents had spent a time together for 25 years throughout changes in society. It was reborn as an attractive space where the past and present coexist by keeping the old and making the right changes. The traces of old things from all over the building are unique features of Zeroplace.
DESIGN
A Proper Design that Shows Changes and Conservation with a Consistent Perspective
The traces of all kinds of design elements are evident to create a design that appeals consistently to guests from small props to interiors, exteriors, online and offline spaces. In particular, each room was made as a space with individual characteristics in a similar design through changes in spaces and small details while maintaining a uniform material and context.
Hospitality
Host’s Meticulous Efforts for the Communication with Creators
Zeroplace, a place that anyone can put everything down and go back to ‘0’, is operating its space for inspiring guests. The open library regularly introduces new books and offers a space to introduce the works of creators. It is characterized by an extremely high revisit rate and more than half of the rate of creators to visit. Above all, the garden and surroundings that have been well managed by a couple for over 20 years and becomes a space that contains the meaning of Zeroplace.
PRICE
An Affordable Price to Enjoy an Inspiring Café and a Beautiful Garden
Guests can enjoy a café with breakfast at a price of 150,000 to 210,000 KRW for a double room and of 280,000 KRW for a quad room (based on the weekend rate during normal season) in Zeroplace. There are a variety of choices that can be made, including economical rooms sharing a communal kitchen, rooms with a nice view and a kitchen, rooms for a family of four, etc. Above all, there is an attractive garden where you can enjoy a picnic after check-out. Furthermore, visitors can enjoy high quality local attractions at a reasonable price, such as Ami Art Museum, Goam Lee EungNo Birthplace & Memorial Hall, etc. and various historical and cultural heritages such as Haemieupseong and Gaesimsa Temple. Please refer to an event presenting a free voucher to stay anytime during weekdays by selecting one team each month if you upload a photo essay after you’ve stayed in Zeroplace.
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- Stay Name
- ZEROPLACE
- Stay Type
- K - Rental house
- Contact information
- Address
- 367-19, Illakgol-gil, Haemi-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
- Guests / No. of Room
- 2~3 / 5
- Price
- US$ 128.67 ~ US$ 200.15
- Check-in / out
- 16:00 / 12:00
- Feature
- BBQ facilities, Breakfast, Projector or TV, Kitchenette, Tub (ex. Jacuzzi, Hinoki)
PHOTO BY Kim Jae-Kyeong |