Ariostea: between matter and landscape in the design concept of three villas in Korea

In South Korea, the architecture firm ICD Seoul Architects has designed three splendid independent villas, located in a delightful natural landscape.

The homes slot into the surrounding nature, forming “residential oases” in which privacy, well-being and relaxation play a decisive role. With no attempt to blend with the surroundings, the sculptural style is composed of plastic volumes and clean geometries that nonetheless form a harmonious whole with the scenery around them. The villas share a solid architecture founded on a symmetrical approach and on a series of contrasts between solid and void elements, in which the windows that open out on the walls create a perspective that looks towards the exterior, while engaging smoothly with the interior.

These seemingly simple projects explore an almost monumental approach, while paying close attention to the comfort, elegance and inviting atmosphere a home should have. The carefully selected materials form a connecting element that creates a uniform overall image, with modern, minimalist lines. 

The signature feature of the exterior is the extensive use of Marmo Travertino Santa Caterina by Ariostea, applied on all the outside walls, the paths and the pool edges. The neutral streaks of the pattern highlight the linear design of the buildings, while also allowing their architecture to stand out without dominating the surrounding landscape. It is these smooth connections that make the three projects so unique and distinctive.

Within this concept, Ariostea ceramics are able to channel beauty, technology and sustainability, with the Marmo Santa Caterina surfaces combining sophisticated style, the extraordinary performance of porcelain stoneware and cutting-edge production processes compliant with the most rigorous standards in terms of environmental sustainability.