‘Enjoying Work’— it's a universal aspiration that often feels like an elusive quest. Yet, for them, it is a palpable reality. Two friend who met in college, embarked on a journey spanning over a decade, where they exchanged stories day after day. Sometimes playful, sometimes serious, I observed their impassioned dialogues about space and architecture with intrigue. How did they infuse joy into their work, and what remarkable spaces did they create? As I quietly listened, I hoped to glean insights into savoring spaces from the depths of their conversation.

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Q: What is the meaning behind the name of 'B.U.S ARCHITECTURE'?

[Director Park Ji-hyun] Recently, I've been exploring various meanings behind our name. Firstly, we often incorporate everyday stories, akin to the common public transportation 'bus', and derive ideas from our surroundings. The phrase 'By Undefined Scale' created with B.U.S can be seen as a kind of methodology. Adopting an attitude that views the commonplace as unfamiliar is crucial, and we aim to connect the uniqueness found in daily life to architecture. Therefore, we approach our work with an open mind, sometimes employing imaginative storytelling methods, not bound by regulations.

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Q: Your architecture encompasses a variety of scales and functions, from single-family homes to public facilities and stays. Is there a common philosophy unique to B.U.S ARCHITECTURE that permeates these diverse works?

[Director Cho Sung-hak] We enjoy telling stories about everyday landscapes or experiences, but we try to do so in a light-hearted manner. Sometimes, we twist these stories from a slightly different perspective, ones that everyone can relate to. Observing them, one might easily infer, 'So that's what the architect was thinking', and sometimes it brings a smile.

[Director Park Ji-hyun] When starting a project, we share experiences from our childhood. "I used to live in a place like this when I was young, and I think I liked it back then." There are things that only become apparent in hindsight. So rather than establishing a penetrating identity, we gather clues from the surrounding conditions scattered across each project. When we're on-site, we sometimes playfully discuss, "How about this?", "Would these stories be relevant in this context?" It feels very personal and a bit trivial.

When viewed from a user-centric perspective, there may be notable distinctions between individual homeowner projects and stay projects. While variations emerge based on their respective purposes, the manner in which individuals engage with architecture, expressing candid viewpoints and narratives, remains consistent across both types of projects.

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Q: Are there any particular considerations when designing stay projects compared to other projects?

[Director Park Ji-hyun] Personally, I don't categorize projects into distinct fields. However, the only point that sets them apart is profitability. There's a need for unique elements or selling points in the stay market to survive. Apart from these aspects, the fundamental approach to designing spaces for comfortable living remains the same.

[Director Cho Sung-hak] I also don't see any fundamental differences. Prioritizing locality and architectural scale beyond their intended use, considering variables arising from commercial purposes, and addressing maintenance for sustainability are crucial aspects to consider.

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Q: What communication takes place between the architect and the client before designing a stay project?

[Director Park Ji-hyun] Fundamentally, there are considerations regarding costs, and naturally, there are many questions about operations. Questions like 'What kind of guests would you like to attract?' or 'What kind of host do you envision becoming?' Clients are often asked to imagine their operational style and jot it down. These kinds of discussions are quite common.

[Director Cho Sung-hak] Initially, we start with broad, light-hearted questions, and as the design progresses, we engage in ongoing discussions.

There's a saying, 'You see as much as you know.' What stories are hidden within stays where the sojourn itself becomes a journey? I delved deeper into stays designed by B.U.S, such as 'ilwoldiary', 'illheedam', and 'Good Season'. After hearing these tales, one might experience these spaces in a more captivating light.

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Q: 'ilwoldiary' seems to have had many considerations during the design process, such as the surrounding environment and the experiences of the homeowners. Was there any particular aspect you focused on?

[Director Cho Sung-hak] What set 'ilwoldiary' apart from other stay projects was our focus on creating a unique landscape within the interiors, rather than bringing in views from the outside. We incorporated water as a keyword, creating a waterway in the courtyard and adding small courtyards to each room. Speakers installed on the roofs play music, and the scent of firewood can be enjoyed through the fireplace. We aimed to create a sensory landscape. Another notable feature is that the homeowners of 'ilwoldiary' had experience in stay operations, so their maintenance requirements were specific. Therefore, we meticulously incorporated operational layouts and maintenance routes into the design phase.

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Q: 'ilwoldiary' consists of a total of four rooms. Privacy would likely be important in a multi-room stay.

[Director Cho Sung-hak] I felt that the homeowners had an instinctive desire to protect their guests. During their stay here, guests can fully relax and escape interference or stress from the outside world. We often use wooden structures in our architecture. While wooden structures have the slight disadvantage of transmitting noise, we overcame this by incorporating a bit of concrete. We constructed concrete walls in areas where rooms are adjacent and created a small courtyard in between as a buffer zone. Although the tall walls might feel a bit confining, we prioritised privacy.

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Q: 'illheedam' aims to evoke the atmosphere of a grandmother's house. I'm curious about your first impression of the Chuncheon Sabuk-myeon neighbourhood, where 'illheedam' is located.

[Director Cho Sung-hak] 'illheedam' is a project deeply connected to its locality. The area around it consists mostly of typical rural houses with single-story roofs, like many ordinary villages. So, when we first came to this area, we thought it would be nice if visitors felt like they were visiting their grandmother's house rather than just a stay. Both of us have childhood memories of growing up in rural houses. We shared these experiences together. Running around in a spacious yard, having a hearth in the kitchen, and even having the bathroom separate from the main house were all part of our childhood experiences. We wanted to encapsulate this feeling through the cozy, single-story roof architecture.

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Q: Does 'illheedam' have any architectural features that contribute to its warm atmosphere?

[Director Cho Sung-hak] 'illheedam' is divided into the main building, dining hall, and jacuzzi building. While having spaces separated might seem inconvenient, we thought it could evoke nostalgia and memories for those who have fond childhood memories. Compared to discomfort in modern architecture, discomfort in a familiar setting is something people are more willing to tolerate.

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Q: 'Good Season' in Jeju is surrounded by tangerine fields and preserves the framework of an old house. The reinterpretation of the old house might differ from previous projects.

[Director Cho Sung-hak] 'Good Season' is composed of a traditional Jeju house structure, with a main living area called an anguri and a mogeori, which was used as a tangerine storage area. However, we didn't take the reinterpretation of the old house too seriously. While it was originally intended for residential purposes, it has now been repurposed as a stay, leading to a natural renovation process. New users with different needs emerged, and we adapted our plans accordingly. That's how it unfolded.

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Q: 'Good Season' has transformed into a space with a new purpose, serving as both a stay and a small restaurant. What stories are embedded in each space?

[Director Cho Sung-hak] The biggest challenge was how to arrange the three spaces: two rooms for the hosts' needs and one for the restaurant. The previous layout, which was originally designated for storage, had many drawbacks in terms of privacy between the accommodation area and accessibility to the restaurant. So, we disregarded the previous layout and redesigned the restaurant and accommodation areas. Once this was settled, everything else fell into place smoothly. We maintained the cozy structure of the anguri by keeping the ceiling intact, while we transformed the bangeori into an open space, preserving the wooden trusses of the former tangerine warehouse. Despite being the same space, each area has a different atmosphere, allowing guests to experience various moods.

Their attitude towards architecture was consistently genuine. Their experiences, stories, and those of the people who would inhabit the space were woven into it. Neither grandiose nor humble. Simply, they calmly aimed to accomplish the task at hand. Is there such sincere architecture elsewhere?

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Q: What kind of day do you hope people will spend in spaces created by B.U.S ARCHITECTURE?

[Director Park Ji-hyun] I hope they spend time focusing on themselves, feeling and expressing their habits. I'm currently living in a house I built myself, and I'm really happy these days. I hope they spend time in a place they truly love and cherish, like living in their own beloved home. However, one night is too short, so I think staying for about three nights might evoke such feelings.

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Q: Lastly, could you share a word about your future direction?

[Director Park Ji-hyun] To be honest, it's about survival for now. Instead of thinking too far ahead, we're focusing on how to wisely navigate the current situation.

[Director Cho Sung-hak] Let's just calmly carry on with the tasks at hand. We're not people who live with grand visions. We're simply grateful for what we have now, doing our best, and enjoying architecture along the way.

[Director Park Ji-hyun] You know, something struck me. It's our unique edge when it comes to creating stays. Since we've been working on timber structures for a long time, we can approach construction with reasonable costs thanks to our collaboration skills with technical experts. It seems like we're also sharing a lot of practical concerns regarding sensible designs and management from a business and operational standpoint. I think we'll continue in this direction in the future. (Laughs)

Who can match their zest for life? As they weave tales, their faces light up with laughter, yet their demeanour remains earnest and profound. Their passion for architecture is genuine and unwavering, infusing every project with a sense of purpose and harmony. They effortlessly blend childhood memories with the built environment, creating new landscapes within. When the function of a space evolves, they adapt with ease, crafting plans that seamlessly align with its new needs. Their projects are not just structures; they are stories waiting to unfold.

What narrative will emerge from the synergy between these individuals, brimming with conversation topics, and their new clients? Let's eagerly board the 'bus' that serves as our daily conduit and disembark at their bespoke 'bus stop.' A unique experience awaits us there.