The renovation project in Gwangju, aims to respect the spatial context of historical layers while introducing contemporary interventions to imbue the building with a sense of presentness. This house, a working-class dwelling built during South Korea's urbanization process since the 1970s, was constructed with brick masonry and cement tiles and has retained its original structure and materials to this day.

The building is located at the corner of two sloped roads, surrounded by traffic flows with varying speeds and directions. Within this multi-layered environment, the existing building seeks to reconfigure its relationship with the surroundings, aiming to capture the essence of the present through a restrained intervention.

The staircase, which originally extended directly from the main gate, was removed and replaced with a new staircase adjacent to the boundary between the first-floor yard and the second-floor yard, separated by a low wall. This intervention achieves both visual continuity and functional separation. The columns supporting the newly added metal staircase reinforce the existing brick masonry structure while creating natural shade for the terrace beneath the staircase.

The ground of the courtyard and the walls were constructed using red bricks similar to those used in the original building, preserving its inherent texture and aesthetic identity. New elements, crafted with a restrained sense of materiality, highlight the temporal layered and unique qualities of the red brick, stone decorations, and tiles. This harmonious interaction between the building's original elements and contemporary interventions expands the spatial and historical significance of the structure.

Inside, the principle of minimal intervention was applied. Cement block walls were added to reinforce structurally vulnerable areas, and the existing ceiling beams and concrete slabs were integrated to enhance the building’s durability.