The Void

Designed by Hyunjoon Yoo Architects in Shinan-gun, Korea, The Void is a public bath and a restaurant for the village’s elders who do not have a decent bathing facility in their house.

The Void is a Community Center in the Shinan-gun island, South Korea. The main programme of the building is a public bath and a restaurant for the village’s elders, who make up most of the population in the fishing village, and do not have a decent bathing facility in their houses.

Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, Shinan-gun, South Korea, 2016

Therefore, a public bath was necessary, aiming to become the new centre of the community. Just like the Baths of Caracalla in the Roman Era, this public bath turned to be one of the most important public spaces in the whole area. 

Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, Shinan-gun, South Korea, 2016

Hyunjoon Yoo Architects tried to avoid the views towards the worksite, creating openings towards the inner courtyard, instead. A setback method was used to bring in as much light as possible. 

Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, Shinan-gun, South Korea, 2016

For the islanders, who are always surrounded by water, a little pond was created in the courtyard, where they could walk around it. In this Community Center, people can gather and relax, without visibility of their worksite.

Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, Shinan-gun, South Korea, 2016
Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, Shinan-gun, South Korea, 2016
Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, Shinan-gun, South Korea, 2016
Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, Shinan-gun, South Korea, 2016
Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, ground floor
Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, first floor
Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, The Void, section


The Void, Shinan-gun, South Korea
Program: community centre
Architects: Hyunjoon Yoo Architects
Project team: Heo Jinsung, Son Insil, Park Jungkyu, Kwon Jinhee, Ham Seungho
Engineer: Min Sung
Contractor: Joongsan construction company
Area: 605 sqm
Completion: 2016