The Life Box project is an architectural design focused on creating a hospice facility in Yangsu-ri, Yeoju City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. This project leverages its natural surroundings to facilitate a supportive environment for patients and their families during the end-of-life journey. The design embodies a concept wherein architecture serves not merely as a physical structure, but as a space that assists in the acceptance of mortality, promoting reflection, interaction, and healing.

Functional Aspects and Spatial Organization

The Life Box is designed with a clear functional organization that interconnects various spaces. The facility consists of public areas, such as a reception, library, gathering rooms, and therapy spaces, which encourage social engagement among users. Private patient rooms provide confidentiality and a sense of solitude. Therapeutic spaces, including a chapel and reflection areas, are incorporated to promote contemplation and emotional processing.

The arrangement emphasizes connectivity through a looped flow, guiding occupants from communal spaces to private zones. This thoughtful organization highlights the design’s intent to embrace the continuum of life while addressing the emotional needs associated with each stage. The integration of outdoor spaces, including gardens and water features, enhances user experience and ties the built environment to the natural landscape.

Innovative Design Elements and Materiality

Distinctive design approaches set the Life Box project apart from conventional hospice facilities. The use of natural materials, including wood, glass, stone, and Corten steel, establishes a relationship between the structure and its environment. Wood is primarily used in constructing the individual boxes, creating warmth and ensuring a tangible connection to the natural world. Large glass panels are employed to maximize natural light, fostering openness and visual access to the surrounding landscape. Stone components provide stability and a sense of permanence.

Water features are an essential element of the design, integrating tranquility and reflection into the user experience. The incorporation of water bodies, such as a floating pool and garden, encourages interaction with nature and supports a calming atmosphere. The overall form and arrangement of cubes symbolize the stages of life, enhancing the project’s narrative by representing the transition from life to death.

Emphasis on Emotional Resonance

The relationship between design and emotional experience is a core theme. The Life Box aims to offer a supportive environment that aligns with the psychological and emotional states of patients and families. By merging architectural design with therapeutic intentions, the project seeks to create spaces that foster acceptance and understanding of life's transitions.

The architectural design communicates a profound respect for both the natural context and the users' emotional experiences, setting the Life Box apart from typical healthcare facilities.

For a comprehensive understanding of the Life Box project, including architectural plans, sections, and designs, readers are encouraged to explore the full project presentation for further insights into its innovative architectural ideas and functional layouts.