Hi Macs: Pan-Gyo Residence By Office 53427. Photos by Yongkwan Kim
Korea’s Pan-gyo Residence is the country’s first residential building to have a façade covered in versatile HI-MACS Solid Surface Material.
Korean architecture firm Office 53427, led by architect Kiwoong Ko, designed the family home.
The residence was built on a corner lot in a new development for single family houses in Pangyo, 30 minutes from Seoul. The futuristic building has a façade exclusively made of HI-MACS, a durable acrylic stone material.
LG Hausys recently made their HI-MACS® available for use on building exteriors. The consistency and durability of the non-porous material, along with being UV-proof and resistant against climatic elements, makes it beneficial for façades.
Called the surface material of the ‘new generation’ of builders and architects, HI-MACS comprise a mixture of 75 per cent natural minerals and pigments and 25 per cent acrylates. The material is ideal for façades due to its ability to contract or expand with fluctuations in temperature.
Hi Macs: Pan-Gyo Residence By Office 53427. Photos by Yongkwan Kim
The use of HI-MACS® continues throughout the interior of the Pan-gyo Residence, having been used in the construction of built-in kitchen and living room furniture as well as the staircase banister.
There is also a HI-MACS house in Bavaria, Germany designed by Karl Dreer and Bembe Dellinger Architects. The builder of the home was fascinated by the material, which he had used on a previous project, so he decided to design and build his own home using the material.
“HI-MACS provides the opportunity of creating nearly any design in nearly any building – regardless of unusual weathering conditions, high degrees of moisture or enormous loads. It exceeds the standard material limits,” said Dreer.
Dreer was able to integrate some personal creativity into his German home by using HI-MACS. Due to the thermoplastic formability, he was able to design and create a table using the material.
HI MACS House Karl Dreer and Bembe Dellinger Architects. Photo: Dirk Wilhelmy
The elasticity of HI-MACS sets it apart from traditional building materials. It can maintain the positive characteristics of the surface while being bent into almost any shape at 165 degrees Celsius.
HI-MACS are produced in sheet form on a steel conveyor belt. Dreer’s massive kitchen table is composed of multiple HI-MACS elements, formed from 11 sheets that fit together, appearing seamless.
A two-stage thermal curing process distinguishes the material, making it devoid of any structural defects due to the high temperatures used.
HI MACS House Karl Dreer and Bembe Dellinger Architects. Photo: Dirk Wilhelmy
The ‘new generation’ material works well on products such as granite, marble, glass, laminate, ceramics or polyester because of its flexibility and ability to join together seamlessly. It can be used almost anywhere, lends itself to individual design, and meets all required environmental standards.
By Kristen Avis
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