엄마의 정원 2024.2

Mom’s Garden Center

 

 

 

다문리는 양평군 용문면에서 그나마 인구밀도가 가장 높은 동네이다. 경의중앙선인 용문역과 아파트, 용문시장, 학교 등이 자리한, 우리가 흔히 말하는 읍내다. ‘엄마의 정원’은 번화한(?) 읍내의 끝자락에 위치해 있다. 수도권의 변두리 용문에서도 변두리인 셈이다. 3차선 도로를 따라 드문드문 단층의 상가들이 늘어선, 긴장감 없이 한가한 거리 풍경을 가진 동네다.

용문에서 나고 자란 건축주는 아버지께 물려받은 땅에 근린생활시설을 짓겠다고 우리를 찾아왔다. 변두리의 변두리에 들어서는 근린생활시설은 어떤 모습이어야 할까? 우리가 풀어야 할 가장 큰 숙제였다. 서울의 근린생활시설은 높은 지가와 인구밀도로 인해 허용되는 건폐율과 용적률을 가능한 꽉 채우며 존재한다. 지가 대비 공사비가 더 높고 사용자의 인구가 적은 변두리 지역에서는 고민이 많아질 수밖에 없다. 제한된 예산 안에서, 지역에서 소비될 수 있을 정도의 양을 가늠해 적정 규모를 결정해야 했다.

계획한 규모는, 엘리베이터를 이용하지 않더라도 사용에 제한이 크지 않은 3층, 공사비 상승 등의 문제로 에너지절약계획서의 적용을 받지 않아도 되는 500제곱미터의 면적이었다. 3층은 2층과 복층으로 계획했고, 마당에서 이어지는 별도의 동선과 베란다 등을 설치해 부족한 접지성을 보완했다. 500제곱미터의 제한된 면적은 공용을 비단열구간(외부)으로 하여 500제곱미터를 최대한 전용면적으로 사용했다.

서울 도심 길가에 늘어선 이른바 쪽상가들은 장소화되기 어렵다. 스쳐 지나가거나 목적을 두고 오는 사용자 외에는 그 상업시설의 공간을 좋아해서, 사람을 만나기 위해서 찾는 사람은 드물기 때문이다. 예전 동네의 구멍가게 앞에는 으레 평상이나 테이블이 있기 마련이었다. 동네 사람들이 삼삼오오 모여 술추렴을 하거나 이건 너한테만 해주는 얘기라는 식의 비밀 얘기들이 오가는 모습을 심심치 않게 볼 수 있는, 동네 사람들이 애정하는 장소였다. 길과 상업시설이 만나는 접점에 마련된 작은 배려는 동네의 강력한 공공장소로서의 역할을 톡톡히 해냈다. 지금은 지역에서도 이런 장소를 찾아보기 어렵지만, 도시에서는 공공과의 접점을 넓히는 전략으로 시도된 상업시설을 종종 목격한다. 대표적인 것이 성수동의 커먼그라운드이다. 커다란 마당을 둘러싼 3층 규모의 상업시설은 마당에서 벌어지는 다양한 액티비티로 강력한 장소가 되었고, 그 안의 개별 팝업스토어는 장소의 힘을 나눠가지고 때론 힘을 보태는 상보적이고 생산적인 관계로 존재한다. 

우린 이곳에 그런 정원, 마당을 상상했다. 지역민 간의 관계, 정체성을 강화하는 마실 터를 계획하는 것이 상업시설을 활성화할 수 있는 전략이라 봤다. 용문의 강력한 장소가 되는 것이 건축주와 임차인, 사용자 모두를 만족시킬 수 있는 상업공간의 자세가 아닐까 생각했다. 그래서 대지의 중심부에 ‘엄마의 정원’이라 명명한 마당을 두었다. 이 마당은 길과 맞닿아 있고, 마당을 둘러싼 상업공간과 자연스럽게 이어진다.    

용문은 양평에서도 인구 유입이 가장 많은 지역이다. 은퇴 후 여생을 보내기 위해 오는 이들도 많지만 어린아이들을 둔 젊은 부부들도 많다. 아이들과 함께 이곳을 찾은 엄마들이 수다를 떠는 사이 아이들은 쭈쭈바를 입에 물고 오징어게임을 하는 모습을 상상한다. 아직은 텅 빈 공간, 사람들로 채워지고 그 사람들이 애정하고 찾는 멋진 장소가 되길 기대해 본다. 

 

위에서 바라본 ‘엄마의 정원’

도로에서 바라본 ‘엄마의 정원’

주차장과 이어지는 외부계단, 2층으로 바로 진입할 수 있는 외부 계단

 

Damun-ri is the most densely populated neighborhood in Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun. It is commonly referred to as a town where you can find Yongmun Station on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, apartments, Yongmun Market, and schools. ‘Mom’s Garden’ is situated at the end of this bustling town. It is also on the outskirts of Yongmun, which is on the fringe of the metropolitan area. This neighborhood features a relaxed streetscape without much tension, characterized by sparsely distributed single-story shops alon

The client, who was born and raised in Yongmun, approached us with the intention of constructing a neighborhood living facility on land inherited from his father. The primary challenge we faced was determining what neighborhood living facilities in the outskirts of the city should look like. In Seoul, neighborhood living facilities are designed to maximize the building-to-land ratio and floor area ratio due to high land prices and population density. However, in suburban areas where construction costs are relatively higher compared to land prices and the local population is smaller, concerns naturally arise. We had to work within a limited budget and determine the appropriate scale by estimating what could be sustainably supported by the local community.

The planned building had three stories with no significant usage restrictions, even without the use of an elevator. It covered an area of 500 square meters and didn’t need to adhere to energy saving plans, considering factors like rising construction costs. The third floor was designed as a second-floor duplex, and a separate circulation line and veranda leading from the yard were added to compensate for the lack of a ground floor. The limited 500-square-meter area was maximized for exclusive use, with the common area being a non-insulated section on the exterior.

The small shops that line the streets in downtown Seoul are challenging to categorize. This is because, apart from people passing by or visiting for a specific purpose, there are few who are drawn to the commercial space to socialize. In the past, neighborhood corner stores often had benches or tables in front of them. These spaces were beloved by locals, where you could frequently observe them gathering in small groups to share drinks or discuss secrets with phrases like “I’m only telling this to you.” These small considerations made at the intersection between the road and commercial establishments played a significant role as vibrant public spaces in the neighborhood. Nowadays, it’s rare to find such places even in local areas, but in cities, we often witness commercial facilities being developed as a strategy to enhance public interaction. A prime example is Common Ground in Seongsu-dong. This three-story commercial facility encircling a spacious courtyard has become a dynamic hub where various activities take place in the yard. The individual pop-up stores within it coexist in a complementary and productive relationship, sharing the vitality of the space and occasionally amplifying its vibrancy.

We envisioned creating a garden or yard similar to those described. The idea of planning a social space that fosters connections and a sense of identity among local residents was viewed as a strategy to breathe new life into the commercial facilities. We believed that what could truly make Yongmun a vibrant place was adopting an approach to commercial space that could cater to the needs and desires of building owners, tenants, and users alike. As a result, we introduced a yard named ‘Mom’s Garden’ at the heart of the site. This yard is situated adjacent to the road and seamlessly connects with the commercial spaces surrounding it.

Yongmun is the area with the highest influx of people in Yangpyeong. Many individuals choose to settle here for their retirement years, but there are also numerous young couples with young children. As mothers gather here to chat while their children play, the youngsters might even envision playing games like “Squid Game” with imaginary squids in their mouths. Although it’s currently an empty space, there’s a hope that it will soon be bustling with people and transform into a beloved and frequented destination for everyone to enjoy.

길과 만나는 ‘엄마의 정원’ 중정

키즈카페를 기대하고 계획한 2,3층 복층공간

건축주가 직접 운영하고 있는 미술 학원

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엄마의 정원 설계자 | 조병규 _ 투닷 건축사사무소(주) 건축주 | 정숙현 감리자 | 조병규 시공사 | (주)마루디자인건설 설계팀 | 천철규, 소정호, 이재준, 심건규 대지위치 | 경기도 양평군 용문면 다문북길 110 주요용도 | 근린생활시설 대지면적 | 928.00㎡ 건축면적 | 267.34㎡ 연면적 | 596.98㎡ 건폐율 | 28.81% 용적률 | 59.15% 규모 | B1F - 3F 구조 | 철근콘크리트구조 외부마감재 | 벽톨타일, 노출콘크리트 내부마감재 | 미장마감 설계기간 | 2021. 08 - 2022. 01 공사기간 | 2022. 02 - 2022. 12 사진 | 최진보  구조분야 | 델타구조  기계설비분야 | (주)한빛안전기술단  전기분야 | (주)천일엠이씨  소방분야 | (주)천일엠이씨

Mom’s Garden Center Architect | Cho, ByoungKyu _ TODOT Architects and Partners Client | Jeong, Sukhyeon Supervisor | Cho, ByoungKyu Construction | Maru Design Construction Project team | Cheon, Chris / So, JungHo /  Lee, JaeJun / Shim, KeonKyu Location | 110, Damunbuk-gil, Yongmun-myeon,  Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Korea Program | Neighborhood living facilities Site area | 928.00㎡ Building area | 267.34㎡ Gross floor area | 596.98㎡ Building to land ratio | 28.81% Floor area ratio | 59.15% Building scope | B1F - 3F Structure | RC Exterior finishing | Brick tile, Exposed concrete Interior finishing | Plastering Finish Design period | Aug. 2021 - Jan. 2022 Construction period | Feb. 2022 - Dec. 2023 Photograph | Choi, Jinbo Structural engineer | Delta Structure Mechanical engineer | Hanbit Safety Technology Group Electrical engineer | Chunil MEC Fire engineer | Chunil MEC