"Towering and striking, the new restaurant at Les Jardins de Médongaule in South Korea is a visual marvel that commands attention with its impressive green concrete columns. Designed by the Chilean architectural firm Pezo von Ellrichshausen, this establishment features 16 colossal columns that rise majestically, creating a unique dining experience amidst the beautiful botanical garden setting in Gyeonggi Province.
This remarkable structure, officially named Überhaus, translates to "over house," alluding to its elevated positioning that offers stunning views of the gardens below. However, the architects, Mauricio Pezo and Sofia von Ellrichshausen, prefer to refer to it as Rest, highlighting its dual purpose as both a restaurant and a place for relaxation.
The design incorporates 10-meter-tall columns arranged in a meticulous square grid, interrupted midway by a concrete slab of equal thickness. This slab serves as the expansive roof terrace, where a circular balustrade delineates the boundary between areas accessible to visitors and those that are not.
Beneath this terrace lies a spacious dining area capable of seating 100 guests, cleverly suspended between the upper concrete slab and the gently sloping landscape surrounding it. The kitchen and additional facilities are cleverly situated underground, concealed beneath a tiered plaza that invites exploration.
Pezo and Von Ellrichshausen elaborated on the design, explaining that it consists of three distinct layers: "The lower level embraces the natural terrain, featuring a covered amphitheater that channels views toward the valley. The middle section is elevated beneath a robust platform, showcasing diagonal symmetry through open corner terraces at either end, while the top level provides an unrestricted horizontal space crowned by the towering columns, offering a panoramic view framed by their obelisk-like forms."
Überhaus stands as a prominent feature within the sprawling 23,000-square-meter Les Jardins de Médongaule, which opened its doors to the public in September 2025. This complex not only pays homage to the rich history of Korean gardening but also includes notable structures such as the Seongok Seowon Academy, crafted by Iroje Architects & Planners’ Seung H-Sang, and an innovative cloud-shaped entrance designed by Ensamble Studio, currently under construction.
Nestled against a forest at the western edge of the botanical garden complex, Überhaus provides a serene destination for visitors after wandering through the lush gardens.
In contrast to previous projects by Pezo von Ellrichshausen that featured vibrant hues of yellow and pink concrete, the architects opted for a gentle shade of green here, achieved by incorporating silicate pigments into the mix.
Each column boasts a square base, measuring two meters on each side, with four of them housing elevators, while others serve as storage areas or restrooms. Visitors typically access the restaurant and its roof terrace via elegantly ramped bridges that wind upward from the surrounding landscape. Alternatively, they can choose a spiral staircase located in the building's southwestern corner, leading up from the stepped terrace.
This design continues the thematic exploration introduced in Pezo von Ellrichshausen's Less pavilion in Canberra, Australia, which also showcased a strict grid of slender vertical elements. While the firm's work often emphasizes strict geometric forms, this project uniquely explores the role of the column as a fundamental organizing principle.
The architects envision these columns serving multiple purposes, suggesting they could be adorned with garlands, candles, or canopies. They articulated that "the substantial columns and slab, through their boldness, cultivate a sense of lasting presence, inviting quiet reflection and casting intriguing shadows in both opaque and transparent environments. In their simplicity, these columns allow for a physical and mental space that invites contemplation."
Inside, the flooring features stylish terrazzo, extending seamlessly beneath the structure. The ceilings are finished with warm oak boards that line the deep circular skylights, while bronze-hued aluminum frames accentuate the glass walls, marrying functionality with aesthetic appeal.
Photographs capturing this architectural wonder were taken by Pezo von Ellrichshausen.
Project Credits:
- Architects: Pezo von Ellrichshausen
- Collaborators: Emilie Kjaer, Francesco Caminati, Masha Arnold, Manuel Heck, Beatrice Pedrotti, Lukas Vajda
- Local Architect: See Architects
- Structural Engineer: Chang Minwoo
- Construction Company: C&O
- Consultants: Macand Mec Inkok Enc, Rainbowscape
- Landscape Design: Jardins de Sericourt/Dongsimwon Landscape Design
Read more:
* Explore the architecture of South Korea
* Discover more about Pezo von Ellrichshausen
* Learn about colored concrete innovations
* Find out about board-marked concrete techniques
* Delve deeper into the world of concrete design
* Check out restaurant architecture trends
* Engage with various architectural styles.
