A Modern Hanok Hotel in the Heart of Seoul

Tucked away in Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Village, this hanok hotel realised by local design firm Kilyeon reinvents the traditional hanok home for the modern traveller

In Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Village — a neighbourhood known for its traditional Korean hanok residential architecture — an intimate boutique hotel now provides the opportunity to rent an entire detached hanok house in the heart of the capital city. Part of local hospitality collective Nostalgia, Hillo Jae was renovated by local design firm Kilyeon, which turned the  building into a comfortable modern accommodation while preserving its traditional architecture.

‘When designing the hotel, we focused not only on the traditional concept of hanok, but also on changing the orientation and layout of each room according to the lighting,’ explains Lee Kilyeon, the director of Kilyeon. ‘The idea was to create a comfortable and cosy atmosphere, rather than a grand and impressive one.’

To preserve the 130-square-metre structure’s atmosphere, the exterior facade was retained and the upper part of the house rearranged, while the lower part was renovated to offer modern interiors with comfortable living spaces.

Upstairs, the roof and structural beams were retained and juxtaposed with minimal bedroom furnishings, creating a subtle, timeless contrast. One of the walls in the living room was extended and replaced with a large window to open up the space, while storage and display cabinets were installed to accommodate longer stays. Taking centre stage in the middle of the living room, a unique work of art by Huh Myoung-wook evokes a giant rock, its shiny texture reflecting the light that pours in through the large windows. ‘This object has no specific purpose,’ explains Kilyeon. ‘It can be viewed, sat on or even used as a daybed to enjoy views of the outdoors.’ Behind, an art wall displays refined ceramics and other objects.

Downstairs, the light-filled dining room combines the building’s original features including wooden beams and the tiled roof with modern elements such as a statement ceramic dining table by Korean artist Lee Hun-chung.  A sculptural stone sink reminiscent of a large well contrasts with the minimal white kitchen counter, while textured walls and cabinet doors add visual contrast.

Through a considered and measured renovation, Hillo Jae pays elegant homage to hanok architecture. By juxtaposing the building’s original architectural features with a combination of minimal and statement pieces, the designers have created a comfortable and homey space for guests and given the traditional Korean house a new modern essence.

Text by Nina Milhaud
Images by Park Chanoo