Lotte Engineering & Construction, winner of the top prize in the housing innovation category, is raising the usability of apartment space and setting new standards for residential living in line with shifting housing trends. From specialized floor plans that reflect how younger generations live, to a distinctive landscaping brand and specialized underground parking design, the builder is applying new ideas across residential space to improve residents' quality of life.
Lotte E&C is moving away from the uniform layouts of conventional apartments and developing housing products that reflect the varied lifestyles and tastes of residents. A leading example is its new floor plan targeting future consumers. Designed around the diverse housing needs of people in their 20s and 30s, it expands the functions of existing spaces and lets residents use those spaces according to their own routines.
The company has paid particular attention to the role of the entryway, which connects indoor and outdoor space. A prime example is the Enter Lounge, which recasts the conventional entryway as a living space rather than a simple point of entry. Using existing areas such as the utility room, laundry room and balcony, the design creates a dedicated space for tending plants or living with pets. Ego Space, a separate standalone area, can be used as a customized space tailored to personal interests, such as home workouts or art projects.
The builder is also working to deliver a distinctive residential experience outside the buildings. Lotte E&C has developed and is applying green×groove, a landscaping brand that blends nature and culture. The name combines "green," for nature, with "groove," for rhythm and flow, reflecting a plan to turn landscaping from something residents merely look at into a space where they experience nature and culture in daily life.
Green×groove aims for landscaping designed around the characteristics of each complex and the lifestyles of its residents. By adding cultural elements to nature-friendly spaces, it widens opportunities for rest and interaction and allows residents to enjoy a range of experiences within the complex.
The company is also pursuing innovation to make better use of underground space. In January this year, Lotte E&C unveiled Live Ground, a specialized design for apartment underground parking decks. The core idea is to convert the parking deck from a space for parking and moving cars into a mixed-use area where residents can rest, socialize and carry out various daily activities.
Live Ground consists of the Welcome Concourse, which links the parking deck to residential buildings, and "Park and Ride," a branded amenity zone located next to the parking deck entrance. The Welcome Concourse adds rest and convenience functions to what would be a simple passageway, creating a space where residents can linger. Despite its name, Park and Ride is not a commuter transfer lot but a mixed-use community facility built next to the parking deck entrance. "We plan to apply Live Ground to apartment complexes we win in the future and to develop the space layouts to suit the characteristics of each complex," an official at Lotte E&C said.
