Lamp Shade Series

Soft Tectonics is a research initiative exploring Bending-Active structural systems that generate form through the active elasticity of materials. By controlling internal stress distribution and bending radii without external mechanical or thermal stimuli, the research experimentally extends the principle that "form originates from the physical potential of the material." This approach aims for an integrated concept of Material = Structure = Form.

Utilizing polymer-based flexible materials and fiber-reinforced composites, the system activates bending elasticity to create self-supporting structures. The core feature of this research is curvature-based stiffness, which ensures structural integrity even within thin cross-sections.

The methodology bridges the digital and physical through elastic deformation simulations, custom profile-extraction software, and error-correction processes. Parametric algorithms derive multiple structural possibilities from a single design, while over 200 prototype experiments optimize the balance between structure and self-weight. This Micro-to-Macro / Macro-to-Micro strategy connects object-scale experimentation to architectural-scale implementation.

Year : 2026

Location : Seoul, Korea

Project Director :

Dongil Kim (Kyung Hee University / I.f CDL)

Principal Researcher :

Gwangeun Hwang (I.f)

Supported by : I.f Architecture & Research

Yeoju Residence

This site is nestled at the foot of Taebong Mountain in Geumsam-myeon, Yeoju, at the heart of a well-developed single-family residential village. To the east, it opens up to the picturesque Dogok-ri village, while to the north, it offers a serene view of a hillside planted with birch trees—creating a peaceful and quiet neighborhood setting.

The house consists of a master bedroom, a guest room, and a shared space that combines the living room and kitchen. On the second floor, a family room provides a comfortable area for family members to spend time together.

Given the location and topographical characteristics of the site, construction on-site is minimized by employing a panelized modular building method. Structural walls, along with wall and roof panels, are prefabricated off-site and assembled on-site, allowing for efficient and precise construction with minimal disruption to the natural surroundings.

Year : 2026

Location : Yeoju, Korea

Size : 156.16 m²

Status : Completed

Type : Residential

Principal in Charge :

Seojoo Lee, Hyojung Kim (I.f), Dongil Kim (I.f CDL)

Design Team :

Suyeon Seo, Chaeyoon Chang (I.f), Gwangeun Hwang (I.f CDL)

Agile Medium

Agile Medium ; A Future-Oriented Public Building Embracing Change

The Seobu Truck Terminal site serves as a catalyst for Yangcheon-gu's vision of a "working and growing city," reorganizing the urban fabric into a pedestrian-centric structure through the introduction of a high-tech urban logistics facility. Positioned as both the terminus and the extension of the green axis, the site acts as a public anchor that accommodates and expands the flow of the city.

In an era of hyper-change, the work environment can no longer be contained within fixed forms. While industries and working methods evolve rapidly, architecture remains a long-lasting physical structure. Agile Medium translates this temporal discrepancy into a matter of systems rather than static forms, proposing a spatial organization premised on the continuous cycle of change.

The workspace ratio is entirely reorganized from a traditional 7:2:1 structure to a 4:3:3 networking-centric paradigm. By streamlining independent workspaces and expanding areas for collaboration and interaction, the lower levels are designed as open, welcoming spaces that draw the public in, while the upper levels provide optimized environments for deep focus and growth.

The spatial framework is governed by a 1.8m to 5.4m grid module, allowing for flexible reconfiguration according to organizational scale. The split cores and the Agile Spine orchestrate the programmatic distribution around a highly adaptable central open plan, facilitating a seamless sequence that guides users through the startup lifecycle: Support → Interaction → Immersion → Growth.

Urban infrastructure and the startup support facility coexist within a single architectural framework, with the integrated control center securing operational efficiency through independent circulation paths. Furthermore, the natural level difference of the site is seamlessly absorbed through sloped landscapes and ramps, transforming it into a welcoming public landscape.

Finally, the structure and facade are seamlessly integrated into a unified exoskeleton system. Built upon an open-plan layout and combined with prefabricated concrete panels, this approach ensures construction precision and scalability. It ultimately functions as a resilient infrastructure ready to adapt to any future programmatic shifts.

Year : 2026

Location : Seoul, Korea

Size : 4,958.12 m²

Status : Competition Entry (3rd Place)

Type : Office

Principal in Charge :

Seojoo Lee, Hyojung Kim (I.f), Dongil Kim (I.f CDL)

Design Team :

Seungil Kim, Gwangeun Hwang, Bokyung Seo, Soohyun Kim (I.f)

Collaboration :

EFFECTUS