Third Place Winner
Breathing Mound Dwelling
Design by
Sung Moon Jung
Jury Critique
"An innovative adaptation of termite mound principles, the design offers a climate-responsive, low-cost housing model that merges sustainability with community-driven construction."
-Amal AjithKumar
Sung Moon Jung
Sung Moon Jung, born on January 13, 1999, in Daegu, South Korea, completed a bachelor's degree in Architecture at Keimyung University in Daegu. As of 2025, Jung is working at an architectural firm in Seoul. After graduating from university, Jung decided to participate in the INSECTITECTURE Competition to maintain a strong sense of design and to explore a deeper interest in sustainable architectural design.
Recently, Jung changed his name to I-gyeom Jung, believing that a name with a meaningful resonance can positively influence one’s path. He plans to pursue a master's degree next year to continue his academic journey, while also participating in various design competitions to further develop his ideas. Participating in this competition has been a personal honor and a meaningful stepping stone toward a new beginning. I-gyeom expresses gratitude to Professor Jong Won Lee for his mentorship and dedicates this achievement to Archiol Competitions and to God.
Celebrating Creativity & Vision
Winner’s Spotlight: An Exclusive Interview
Discover the story behind the victory — from concept to creation.
1. Inspiration and Concept
What specific insect colony or natural phenomenon inspired your design, and what aspects of it did you find most fascinating or influential?
- I designed this project inspired by the housing structures of termites, which use natural air circulation systems to overcome the desert climate. I believe that architecture using sustainable passive design, which does not require additional energy, is an essential direction humanity should pursue in the future. My architectural philosophy is to improve harsh urban environments through sustainable design
2. Translation from Nature to Architecture
How did you interpret and translate the structural or social principles of insect colonies into your residential design concept?
- Before starting the project, I first considered what social problems it could address. I researched social issues related to housing around the world and came to learn about 'Kibera,' a city-sized slum in Africa. Globally, underdeveloped slums are primarily inhabited by vulnerable populations, with low community cohesion and high crime rates. As seen in the results of previous policies and studies, simply addressing housing issues alone is not enough to fully improve the urban environment of such slums. In insect colonies, each individual moves as one toward a shared goal, achieving results that would be difficult to accomplish alone. Like them, I aimed to suggest ways for humans to cooperate and strengthen community spirit in order to create a better society. Through this project, within the newly designed circular residential complex, economic activities can emerge organically, crime rates can decrease due to the cul-de-sac layout, and community spirit among residents can be strengthened.
3. Design Process
Could you walk us through your design process — from research and concept development to the final presentation?
- In the early stages of the project, I studied the colonies of various insects and was particularly fascinated by the housing structures of termites. I believe that the most important element in sustainable architecture is 'heat'. And that heat is transferred through air or water, helping to maintain a cool or warm climate. Termite mounds have structures that are highly efficient at regulating temperature through air, which inspired me to apply this concept to human housing.
- I graduated with a bachelor's degree from a university in Korea in February 2025 and am currently working at an architectural firm. From April to June of this year, I conducted research while studying related materials. Then, during July and August, I primarily focused on project design and visualization work. While working at the company, I finished work at 6 PM and did minor tasks in the evenings, and focused on the main work during weekends. The time available was sufficient, which allowed me to produce good results. I am truly grateful and delighted to have been lucky enough to receive third place.
4. Sustainability and Environmental Response
Insects build habitats that are naturally adaptive and sustainable. How did your design incorporate these environmental strategies or ecological principles?
- Through research, I concluded that in order to maximize air circulation across multiple residential spaces, it is more effective to arrange several housing units in a circular layout and apply one large air circulation system to all of them, rather than installing an individual system in each unit. Examining the structure of a termite mound, one can observe its massive vertical chimney-like form. Their living spaces are located in the cool underground, and the heat generated there is released outside through the central chimney. Just as termite mounds draw in cool air from below and expel it through the chimney to create circulation, this project also incorporates a circulation system that brings in outside air through the widely distributed residential and shared spaces and releases it upward through the central structure.
5. Spatial and Structural Innovation
What innovative spatial or structural solutions did you derive from studying insect-built habitats, and how do they enhance functionality in human living spaces?
- As mentioned earlier, the form of this project consists of multiple housing units arranged in a circular layout, with a chimney-covered atrium at the center. Within the structure of a termite mound, there is a space in a similar central position where mushrooms are cultivated. When they cultivate the mushrooms, heat is generated, and this heat creates an upward airflow that pushes the air up through the chimney. Similarly, in order for air to circulate between the interior and exterior, an upward airflow must be generated at the center of the atrium. To solve this issue, I took advantage of Kenya’s year-round high solar altitude, where Kibera is located. Kenya is located near the equator, so the position of the sun remains nearly vertical throughout the year. The edges of the volcano-shaped chimney roof are designed with a light-blocking material, while the center is covered with a polycarbonate roof to allow light to pass through. In the center of the atrium, a black heat-absorbing mass is installed to capture heat and generate upward airflow, thereby promoting natural air circulation. This allows people to gather in the center of the atrium, use the black mass as benches, and enjoy the courtyard where artificial airflow is created.
6. Community and Social Organization
Insects thrive through cooperation and well-defined social structures. How did these ideas influence the way you approached community or shared spaces in your project?
- In this project, the first floor is designed for commercial, office, and shared spaces, allowing flexible use, while the second floor is allocated for residential units. Access to the commercial and office spaces is primarily from the outer roads, while the shared spaces, atrium, and residential areas are reached via passages connecting both the interior and exterior, effectively separating circulation routes according to user type. In the atrium thus created, interactions among residents will take place, fostering a sense of community. As children play in the courtyard and residents naturally keep watch, public safety will be enhanced organically.
7. Challenges and Learnings
What were the biggest challenges you faced in translating biological inspiration into architectural design, and what did you learn through this process?
- The biggest challenge during the design process was verifying whether the project I had planned would be practical if it were actually built. I often felt that I still had much to learn, and since I participated in the competition alone, the process of establishing and validating the concept was challenging. Therefore, I used AI to fill in the gaps in establishing the concept, and repeatedly went through the process of critique and validation. Nowadays, many people use AI for visualization in architectural projects, but I believe it is equally important to utilize AI in processes that form the core of a project, such as establishing the concept.
8. Future Vision
How do you see biomimicry — especially insect-inspired design — influencing the future of sustainable residential architecture?
- I believe that the field of biomimicry related to architecture still holds great potential for development. Globally, the number of people affected by war, crime, and environmental issues is steadily increasing. It may not be easy to completely solve all these issues through architecture alone, but I believe that architecture can help us take steps toward addressing them. Just as a caterpillar cuts and flips a leaf to hide from predators, we can imagine forms of housing suited for areas at high risk of conflict. I also believe that increasing the number of spaces that symbolize peace will encourage people to spend time there and potentially change their mindset. If technologies inspired by the sustainable architecture of insects are widely applied to human construction, practical housing issues could also be improved. It is important for architects to constantly consider even the smallest ideas in their pursuit of creating better environments.
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