QUEVO SPACE is an Airbnb brand whose name is derived from a Korean proverb meaning “something becomes truly valuable only when it is carefully threaded together.” (‘꿰어야 보배다’)True to its name, QUEVO SPACE is created through close collaboration between an architect and a fabric designer. From the earliest stages of spatial planning, this collaboration shapes spaces that stimulate guests’ imagination through narrative and fantasy, while also delivering a high level of comfort and relaxation.
QUEVO SPACE Seongsu is a remodeling project that transforms a residential house originally built in 1972—reflecting Korean society under a military regime—into a contemporary dwelling that embodies Korea’s globalization and remarkable economic development of the 2020s. This project is the first realization of the QUEVO SPACE Airbnb brand, designed to welcome guests from around the world.
In the 1970s, semi-basement spaces were a mandatory feature in residential buildings, intended to function as air-raid shelters. Due to construction limitations at the time, buildings were typically excavated to a depth of only about one meter. As a result, the first floor was raised approximately 1.5 meters above ground level, weakening its connection to the surrounding site and limiting interaction with the exterior.
Spatial reorganization in this project was predicated on a fundamental structural transformation. The existing masonry structure was replaced with a steel-frame structure, a necessary prerequisite for the new spatial plan. While the original house remained in place, new foundations, columns, and beams were installed for the steel structure.
The basement floor slab was cut, soil was excavated, and new concrete foundations were cast. Because all work had to be carried out within the existing building envelope, construction relied heavily on manual labor and hand tools, making the process both complex and demanding. The integration of existing slabs and beams was achieved by injecting epoxy-based bonding agents under high pressure and allowing sufficient curing time to ensure structural unity. This meticulous and time-intensive process required exceptional precision. Structural conversion, in this sense, is an act of reversing time. Once reinforcement was complete, existing walls and slabs were selectively demolished or cut according to the new plan.
The original circulation system strictly separated the first and second floors, offering little of value to preserve. A completely new circulation strategy was required. The internal vertical circulation connecting the first and second floors was designed to be flexible, allowing shared or independent use depending on guest group arrangements, making an interior stair the most appropriate solution.
The most challenging aspect was the circulation from the second to the third floor. As the third floor is an added volume, many areas could not secure a ceiling height of two meters due to daylight plane regulations. The design challenge lay in connecting areas with sufficient height on the third floor to the shared spaces on the second floor—essentially solving a spatial puzzle. The final decision placed the stair beneath a skylight, allowing views of the sky and stars during ascent.
The first-floor shared space, serving two guest rooms, functions as the lobby of QUEVO SPACE. It is the first space encountered by guests upon arrival. This welcoming area includes generous, comfortable seating for relaxation and a dining space suitable for small gatherings. Designed as an open-plan environment, the space can function as a single unified area. Sliding partition doors are installed on each floor, allowing exclusive use when accommodating a group of four guests.
The second-floor shared space, serving three guest rooms, is intended for everyday use by staying guests. It includes a compact kitchen and a casual dining area suitable for light meals and snacks.
The third-floor lounge is a studio-type space where the entire floor is connected as one continuous environment. Natural light pours in through a high skylight, and a large floral installation creates a distinctive sense of fantasy. The coexistence of low and high ceiling zones generates strong spatial contrast, giving each area its own character. The cinema and board game areas are located beneath lower ceilings, offering a sense of enclosure and warmth for restful activities.
All five guest rooms and shared spaces are individually designed using custom jacquard fabrics created by the fabric designer specifically for each space. Headboards, curtains, and cushions are carefully coordinated as complete sets. The luxurious jacquard textiles elevate the overall quality of the interiors while giving each room a distinct identity. The use of recycled polyester jacquard fabric reflects QUEVO SPACE’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Rather than relying on scenic views, QUEVO SPACE tells a story through light, fabric, and the sky. As most urban Airbnb accommodations lack expansive views, QUEVO SPACE replaces this absence with fantasy created through architectural imagination, light, and textile design.
The third-floor lounge of QUEVO SPACE Seongsu represents the first chapter of this sky-oriented fantasy. Depending on the season, the skylight frames the sun, moon, and stars. Light entering through the skylight animates the jacquard fabrics, bringing the space to life and completing the narrative of a house open to the sky.
Explore Quevospace amenities and detailed stories through these images. You can see the new standard of design boutique Airbnb in the harmony of architecture and fabric design in Seoul.
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