two intersecting circles wind snow AIDe's house into the woodlands near seoul 

mueonga: the house without words sits amid the trees

Snow AIDe’s Mueonga: The House Without Words stands alone, in complete solitude, just an hour away from Seoul, shaped by two intersecting circles. It has acquired its definitive condition and will remain alone forever. This project is a small hideaway house harmoniously integrated into its natural surroundings of woods and streams. The location offers a unique opportunity to experience the changing lights and views across four different seasons. With its overall shape derived from two intersecting circles, reminiscent of an igloo, Mongolian ger, or Chinese tulou, the design creates open spaces that invite nature, scenery, and sunshine.

all images courtesy of Snow AIDe

two intersecting spirals craft Snow AIDe’s circular home

Snow AIDe’s journey with this project began almost ten years ago at the invitation of the client, who, a the time, had a vague idea of what he wanted. Through numerous heartfelt conversations and site visits, the client and the studio co-created a house for meditation and reflection. Its name, ‘Mueonga,’ means the House Without Words, which is a nod to Felix Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words, emphasizing the belief that the beauty of space should be experienced, not explained. The house was designed to seamlessly blend into its environment, allowing residents to experience the passage of time and seasons through the play of light and scenery.

Ilya & Emilia Kabakov’s The Palace of Projects inspired a fluid circular space, which was also chosen to maximize sunlight and provide unobstructed views in all directions. The centers of the two intersecting circles are significant spaces: one is located outside for observing the sky, and the other is inside, allowing sunlight to permeate the meditation space. The space, formed by two adjacent circles, flows smoothly.

Residents experience a liquid space that is both connected and bisected. Lights and shadows from various directions enrich the space, creating a dynamic atmosphere. The center of a circle becomes the place to look up at the sky outside, and the other brings the sky into the inside space. The House Without Words is a place for sensory experience. No explanation or functions are needed. It is also a place for experiencing the spatial world and meditating in nature alone. 

Mueonga: The House Without Words stands in solitude

integrated into its natural surroundings of woods and streams

Snow AIDe creates a seamless circular space

the space, formed by two adjacent circles, flows smoothly

allowing residents to experience the passage of time and seasons through the play of light and scenery

lights and shadows from various directions enrich the space, creating a dynamic atmosphere

the House Without Words is a place for sensory experience

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project info:

name: Mueonga: The House Without Words
architect: Snow AIDe | @snowaide_official

location: South Korea

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