Opening of ‘Huam Byeolchae Inus,’ a Collaborative Project with Huam Yeollip
A ‘Bathcation’ (Bath+Vacation) in Huam-dong, a Sanctuary in Seoul
Inus (CEO Hong Seung-ryeol), a bathroom specialty brand, has opened ‘Huam Byeolchae Inus,’ an urban retreat, in Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, under the concept of ‘a Bathcation (Bath+Vacation) into the heart of the city.’
‘Huam Byeolchae Inus’ is a joint venture with ‘Urban Sympathy Architects Cooperative (hereinafter Urban Sympathy),’ which carries out an urban regeneration project centered on Huam-dong, a neighborhood that still preserves the look of Seoul from 60 to 70 years ago even amid the bustling city. Since 2016, Urban Sympathy has been renovating old houses in Huam-dong to create shared spaces where single-person households can enjoy the pleasures of home that they cannot fully experience on their own. Across various buildings within Huam-dong, it has introduced Huam Byeolchae as well as Huam Kitchen, Huam Study, and Huam Living Room.
Inus prepared ‘Huam Byeolchae Inus’ under the concept of a bathroom retreat found in the heart of the city, combining ‘Huam-dong,’ a sanctuary in Seoul, with the ‘bathroom,’ a space for rest and healing in everyday life. Huam Byeolchae Inus is broadly composed of △a bathroom space with the atmosphere of a natural rock cave and, in contrast, △a resting space with a minimal, bright tone. From the entrance throughout the interior spaces, everything is connected like a single painting, so that even indoors one can feel the serene and refined ambiance of Huam-dong.
In particular, the bathroom space was created with the atmosphere of a rock cave, reflecting the interior trend of preferring ‘Comfort in Natural’ even indoors in the pandemic era. It features tiles that bring out the rough texture of stone, and is arranged so that green landscaping imbued with nature can be seen from the bathtub, giving the feeling of actually enjoying a spa outdoors. In addition, a hinoki (Japanese cypress) bathtub from the ‘Spasys Hinoki Edition’ is placed to offer the feeling of forest bathing in the woods through the distinctive scent of phytoncide, a natural antibacterial substance.
In contrast, the resting space is decorated with a bright and calm minimalist interior, mainly in white and a deep orange color evoking the feel of earth. This space is equipped with multipurpose furniture that can be used as both a table and a bed, inspired by the traditional pyeongsang (wooden bench), along with a mini kitchen, tea, and utensils, so that everyone can relax as they wish.
Taking note that, even at home, the bathroom is entirely a personal space for hygiene, rest, and healing, ‘Huam Byeolchae Inus’ allows only one visitor per day. It operates entirely on a 100% advance reservation basis, and reservations can be made through the Naver reservation page. Visiting hours run from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. the following day, for up to 6 hours, and admission is 53,000 won on weekdays and 60,000 won on weekends.
Ma Jeong-san, Managing Director of Inus’s Marketing Division, said, “Inus has planned this space—a first in the domestic bathroom industry—where one can enjoy a pleasant experience in the bathroom. As fatigue of body and mind has built up over the long period of COVID-19, we prepared this project to provide an opportunity to heal in a safe and refined space,” adding, “We hope people will take time to rest in the bathroom as if setting off on a trip, amid the warm atmosphere unique to Huam-dong.”