'Ananti Cobe,' a midas touch of resort architect

"I wanted to build a resort building like an upgraded KTX that people can share," Min Seong-jin, head of architecture firm SKM, said referring to KTX his "Ananti Cobe," a popular resort facility he built.

"KTX is an expansion of the concept 'good sharing.' Wealthy people choose to take KTX when they head for Busan instead of having their drivers take them by car," said Min. "It is fast and convenient."

Ananti Cobe is renowned for a sensible design that has brought in ocean into the building. Having opened last month at Kijang in Busan, Ananti Cobe is operated by membership and has Ananti Penthouse Haeundae (90 houses), Ananti Residence (128 houses), and Hotel Hilton Busan (310 rooms).

"Many of previous condominiums have not lived up to expectations," he said. "I wanted to shift people's thoughts that things shared are cheap and inferior in quality."

All rooms of Ananti Penthouse are headed towards the ocean and have private pools and open-air bath. Hilton Busan placed the lobby on the 10th floor to face directly the ocean view. "I was raised near the sea and it feels as if ocean is by hometown," said the architect. "I wanted to embrace the deep and long breath of the ocean. My hope is that guests feel they are the host of the ocean."

He is also planning a senior town at Gyeongsan in North Gyeongsang Province, which is comprised of slim metal buildings. "It is a project aimed at changing the concept of silver towns in Korea," he said. "I hope that elderly people can live in a cool and convenient building. While one could emotionally resist when entering the place, he or she can enjoy a convenient elderly life one in."

Sun-Mi Kim kimsunmi@donga.com