▴80% reduction in carbon emissions achieved with Mass Timber construction.

▴Achieving carbon neutrality by combining with Passive House design, presenting a model for sustainable future housing.

▴Fostering community value with 12 different unit layouts and various shared facilities; scheduled for completion in June 2028.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 24 for the ‘Jongam-dong Gaewoonsan Village Small-Scale Residential Redevelopment Project,’ designed by Gansam.

The ceremony, held at the project site in Jongam-dong 81-188, was attended by key dignitaries including Lee Hyuk, Head of the Innovation Division at Gansam; Lee Won-hyeong, Head of the Gaewoonsan Village Redevelopment Association; Juha Yrjähölä, the Finnish Ambassador to Korea; and Kim Hak-hyeon, CEO of Bomi E&C, who gathered to mark the project's commencement.

The project’s most significant feature is the introduction of a mass timber structural system and a ‘Passive House certified’ design, a first for a residential apartment complex in Korea. By applying a timber structure, carbon emissions can be reduced by approximately 80% compared to a conventional reinforced concrete structure, which has the same effect as planting 3,500 50-year-old pine trees.

Furthermore, the project utilizes Off-Site Construction (OSC), where modules are manufactured in a factory and assembled on-site, to shorten the construction period, standardize quality, and improve safety. The Passive House design ensures a comfortable indoor environment with minimal energy consumption, putting carbon neutrality into practice.

Based on close communication with residents, Gansam designed 12 different types of unit floor plans, moving away from uniform apartment layouts. The design focuses on restoring a sense of community and social value, which has been lost in isolated living spaces, by incorporating various shared facilities such as a village cooperative, a daycare center, and a book lounge.

Lee Hyuk, Head of the Innovation Division at Gansam, stated, “Through the Gaewoonsan project, we hope to realize an innovative village model where the next generation can learn the value of life.” He added, “We focused on restoring the community by moving away from the conventional, disconnected apartment format and arranging programs that allow for everyone’s participation.”

The Gaewoonsan Village redevelopment project will consist of 130 apartment units in a building with 3 basement levels and 20 stories, covering a total floor area of 23,403㎡. The initial revised project plan was approved in May 2025, with a second revised plan reflecting the timber structure scheduled for approval by May 2026. The project is expected to be completed in June 2028.