Seon Heul Sup House / SOHUN Architects & Planners

A peaceful getaway in the forest: the architecture that becomes part of Gotjawal. The Gotjawal forests on Jeju Island evoke enchanting memories throughout the four seasons. Often regarded as the "lung" of Jeju, Gotjawal comprises a lava forest that maintains its lush greenery year-round. Gotjawal designates an area where highly viscous lava separates into large and small rock fragments during volcanic eruptions, resulting in an uneven(凹凸) topographical terrain. Eventually, this process leads to the establishment a primitive forest where trees, vines, and various vegetation intermingle. The term "Got-Jawal" is a compound word, originating from two Jeju dialect words: "got," which signifies a forest, and "jawal," which refers to tangled and untidy bushes in the local dialect.