Why was it in Ildong-myeon, Sajik-ri?

When preparing something for a long time, it usually starts with choosing a location. Undam Park was no exception. We spent more time thinking about where to build rather than what to build. In this episode, we'd like to share the story of why we chose a location in Pochen, Ildong, Sajik-ri, Gyeonggi-do.

Close yet far

There's a peculiar condition for a space meant for rest. It needs to be far enough from the city, but not so far that it's inaccessible. It should give a sense of being away from daily life, yet be reachable within a day if desired.

Pochen meets this condition well. It's about an hour away from Seoul, yet far enough from the city noise. With the Sejong-Pochen Expressway and the Metropolitan Area Outer Ring Road, and a future railway, accessibility will only improve. It's close enough to visit frequently, yet far enough to feel like you're getting away. This distance was exactly what we were looking for.

A location surrounded by mountains

When we first stood in Sajik-ri, the first thing that caught our attention was the mountains surrounding us. Jocheol Mountain, Cheonggye Mountain, Geumju Mountain, and Gwaneum Mountain gently enclose the area. Land surrounded by mountains has a gentle breeze and distinct seasonal colors. In the spring, the mountains are painted with a green hue, and in the fall, the autumn foliage reaches the site.

This location is a landscape in itself. The scenery created by the long-standing mountains and water is something that can't be replicated with expensive landscaping. We decided to leave this landscape untouched and quietly add water, shade, and benches to it.

When searching for land, we often find that a location that looks beautiful in pictures can feel empty when visited in person. On the other hand, Sajik-ri was a location that felt comforting just by standing there. The open view didn't feel suffocating, and the mountains behind provided a sense of security. This feeling can't be conveyed through blueprints or photos. It wasn't until we visited many locations that we were able to appreciate the comfort of this site.

Land with water

There was a decisive reason why we chose this land. There was water beneath it. The fact that we could draw warm water from deep within the ground made this land special.

Land with good water is hard to come by. While the visible landscape can be found in many places with some effort, the water beneath the ground can't be guaranteed until it's excavated. Our decision to choose this location was largely due to our confidence in the underground water. The story of how we met this water will be told in later episodes.

The value of Pochen

Pochen has long been known for its good water and beautiful scenery. With the Hantan River, Sanjeong Lake, and Baegun Valley nearby, many people visit Pochen on weekends to enjoy nature. This means that Pochen is already a place where people come to rest.

We wanted to quietly settle beside this flow of visitors. Rather than loudly advertising our presence, we wanted to create a place where people who visit Pochen can stumble upon and remember for a long time. The location of Sajik-ri fit our desires perfectly. The fact that it's not in the middle of a busy tourist area, but rather in a quiet location on the outskirts of the mountains, also appealed to us.

A natural farm as a vessel

To contain what we envision for this land, we decided to establish a natural farm. A natural farm is a facility that can be created with the approval of the market or county magistrate's business plan, based on the Rural Development Act, and can hold rest and experience together in nature.

Choosing the land, determining the form that suits it, and following the necessary procedures are essential steps that may not be glamorous but must be taken. We didn't rush through this process but took it one step at a time. In the next episode, we'll share the story behind the name "Undam" that we gave to this location. Our hearts and minds are invested in this land, and that's reflected in the name itself.