On Jeju Island, South Korea, a cabin stay with unobstructed views of forest and sky

There is something magical about spending time engulfed in nature, among woods and birdsong. In Seogwipo, in the southwest of Jeju Island in South Korea, eleven cabins nestled in the middle of a forest are designed to offer just that, their open, glass façades embracing the wildlife, effortlessly bringing the outside in.

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The compact structures are part of Egattoc, a hospitality complex designed for those seeking a quiet retreat immersed in the island’s natural environment. The cabins’ expansive glazing allows natural light in and maximises vistas of the surrounding forest. On one end of the accommodation pods, next to the bed, is a floor-to-ceiling window that invites the outdoor scenery – from trees to stars – in, making guests feel like their quarters are out in the open. On the opposite end is the bathroom. Its slanted glass roof provides an unobstructed view of the forest and the sky above. When looking up from the shower booth, seeing the sun, clouds and the leaves hovering above you is as close as you can get to showering al fresco, while being indoors.

South Korean architect Byoung Cho, who designed the cabins, says he wanted to create an experience where people ‘can see the forest while they take a shower.’ He explains: ‘I focused on the experiences. Jeju is known for its great nature. I wanted to keep what was originally there and have people enjoy that nature.’ In contrast to the dark grey exterior covered in cedar board with an oil stain finish, the interior of each cabin is furnished with bright coloured birch plywood, evoking lightness and warmth. The simple design – there is only a bed, table, kitchenette and bathroom – allows for a meditational and healing environment that fosters visitors’ communing with nature.

A short walk away from the cabins stands another building, titled ‘Above Ground,’ which offers a different kind of immersive forest experience. The concrete structure is designed to gently guide guests from the ground upwards, with stairs leading all the way to the top floor. There, an undulating, transparent roof in glass and aluminum, brightens up the interior with natural light. ‘I wanted the space to reveal itself as you go up the stairs. From the deck on the top floor, people can enjoy the forest view as if they’re up in a tree house,’ says Cho. ‘I really liked the forest there. So I wondered what kind of architecture would be suitable for this forest, and how could I build something without destroying the trees? I imagined something like a tree house where people could go up and have tea and have a view of the forest. So I decided to elevate the building. That’s why it’s called Above Ground.’

As its name suggests, the building is lifted from the ground at eye level, placed on concrete columns. On one side, a semi-sunken space anchors the structure to the ground and is used as an office. Two curved concrete walls at ground level create extra open air space and add to the immersive experience.

The walls gradually curve downwards on the outer edge, allowing for views of the landscape. ‘It’s an exterior space for people to stand still and enjoy nature – looking at the sky and the forest. It’s a way to actively connect the exterior with the interior,’ says Cho. The ground floor space initially opened as a museum featuring the art collection of Cho’s client – a South Korean entrepreneur running a cosmetics company. It is now empty while its next incarnation is being discussed. Options include a yoga studio and a restaurant.

Above Ground and Egattoc are at home within Cho’s nature-embracing architectural portfolio. Cho, head of BCHO Architects, is known for work that connects people and nature, emphasising notions of land. However, he confesses he hadn’t realised he was so focused on the subject, until recently. ‘It was only a few years ago when a magazine publisher wanted to do a book on my projects that I realised that my projects were mostly focused on stories related to the earth,’ he says.

Having already built two spaces with ‘ground’ in the name – an exhibition space beneath his office called ‘Under Ground’, and a café called ‘On Ground,’ both in Seoul – it may seem as if Above Ground was intentionally named to be part of a series; especially since the last seems to be such a natural iteration of his style, which is typically defined by a sense of stillness and serenity. Cho explains that, at least on a conscious level, the name was a complete coincidence. Additionally, ‘this one has movement,’ he argues. ‘Past projects, like the Earth house, are heavy. This one is lighter and has more form, colour and brightness. I also used colour on the glass walls – lighter colours such as sky blue, because this one is ‘Above Ground’.’

The Egattoc cabin starts from $ 127.40 per night and available to book here

bchoarchitects.com