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Korean Architecture and Dwelling Culture: Past and Present

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Korean Architecture and Dwelling Culture: Past and Present KOREAN ARCHITECTURE AND DWELLING CULTURE: PAST AND PRESENT SOGU HONG Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Abstract— This study discusses the striking differences between traditional and modern architecture and dwelling culture of Korea. Also it suggests how to integrate old and new tradition in the contemporary Korean architecture and dwelling culture. Keywords— Architecture, Korean Apartment, Dwelling, Hanok, Tradition. I. INTRODUCTION the highly revered harmony of nature”(Matosian 2012). This paper focuses on the striking contrast between traditional and modern architecture of Korea. The B. Reflecting Simple and frugal lifestyle aim of this paper is to investigate the traditional and Traditional Korean architecture is relatively simple in modern Korean architecture to answer a number of scale or ornamentation. Rooms were of relatively questions: Are the roles once played by the traditional small size and simply decorated. They are usually architecture and dwelling still relevant? Does the old filled with not too many materials. Thus we can en- architectural elements still persist despite social joy the beauty of emptiness, leaving “the room as less changes and new ways of living? What caused the occupied as possible”(Jang-Gwon Kim 2009). This change of dwellings from Hanok to Apatu (apart- reflected the Confucian ideology of emphasising a ment)? If social and formal concepts behind the tradi- simple and frugal lifestyle(Matosian 2012). The feel- tional architecture have changed, what new forms and ing of openness is important. The house in ‘п’ shape concepts have taken their place? Is there any kind of has a open garden in the centre. From the garden we integration between old and new architecture? What can see the wide-open sky and birds flying over it. In is the problem of modern architecture and dwelling of this way, hanok usually harmonize with the natural Korea? What is the aesthetic difference between tra- surroundings(Jang-Gwon Kim 2009). ditional and modern architecture? C. Aesthetic aspects: Non-symmetrical and natu- Based on my research and personal experience, I will ral design discuss the above-mentioned issues. Finally, I will According to Matosian, most designs are non- discuss my opinion on how to solve the problems of symmetrical, following the natural setting. The use of contemporary architecture and dwelling of Korea. irregular stone and wood is combined with an aes- thetically pleasing touch, being as natural as possible. II. BACKGROUND: CHARACTERISTICS OF The eco-friendly and environment-friendly concept TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE already began in Korea few thousand years ago. Another strength of the hanok is its a ability to “con- A. A close relationship with nature tain light”(Jang-gwon Kim) Since doors and windows Korea was an agricultural society, and Koreans estab- of Korean hanok are covered with Korean paper, han- lished a close relationship with its nature. The strong ji, the inside of the whole house is easily filled with characteristics of traditional Korean architecture are full of direct and indirect lighting, “which creates its simpleness, spontaneity and respect for nature. diverse colors and beauty”(Jang-gwon Kim). According to Matosian, “Koreans readily accepted naturalistic philosophies and applied their own inter- D. Scientific elements pretation of them to architectural plans and placement Traditional architecture, especially hanok has many of buildings”(Matosian 2012). scientific elements. The stylobate - choseak (founda- One of the most important elements in Korean archi- tion stone) supports a row of wooden columns and tecture is the natural environment. protect wooden materials from humidity and insects. Matosian(2012) says that Korean traditional architec- According to Jang-Gown Kim, because of “a differ- ture did not resist the magnificence of the natural ence in the meridian altitude of the winter solstice environment nor compete with it. and the summer solstice, the varying lengths of the On the contrary, its traditional architectural design eves are intended to screen or allow in the sought to attain an ideal harmony between their struc- light”(Jang-Gwon Kim 2009). During four seasons, it tures and their natural surroundings: “Efforts were was important to make people stay warm and cool made to avoid having man-made construction disrupt enough. In order to help to stay cool in the summer, the natural contour of the terrain, thereby disrupting hanok has a daecheong(main floored room) which is Proceedings of The IRES 22nd International Conference, Toronto, Canada, 1st January 2016, ISBN: 978-93-85832-86-4 5 Korean Architecture and Dwelling Culture: Past and Present a large space between the rooms and can be com- historic villages, which have been built and pared to living room nowadays. The floor of dae- thrived for hundreds of years. However, since its cheong is made out of wood. Also the front and back first construction of apartments in the 1930’s, and windows of daecheong can be always open or very after its rapid industrial expansion in the 1970’s easy to open. Thus this place helps to keep the whole and 1980s, many historical and traditional parts house stay cool by letting the air enter(Na-eum Kwon of Seoul, including hanok houses and small alleys, 2014). were changed and erased by an exploding number Korean hanok has ondol which literally means of apartments built in Seoul. In only 30 years, “warming the stone”(Oxford Dictionary). Ondol, the apartments have occupied everywhere in Seoul, heating system helps to heat the floor of the house. including mountain and river areas, and they have The fireplace of the kitchen is connected to the become Korea’s representative residential hous- rooms. Once the fireplace is heated up, the heat is ing type and a major element of cityscape … The moved to the floor of other rooms. Then, the layer of supply of apartments in Seoul has reached almost stone in the floor gets heated(Na-eum Kwon 2014). 1,381,252 units (the total area of the units is Finally the warm air circulates and makes the room 117.41km2), and the length of total apartment is temperature go up. The ondol floor is designed to about 1/2 of the circumference of the earth(Chung heat the room not only in winter, but also in summer Kee Lee). to avoid moisture. The floors and ondols of traditional hanok are con- IV. PROBLEMS OF MODERN DWELLING - structed higher than ground level for keeping the APARTMENTS house warm and dry. The main material for ondol is usually baked clay plastered with oiled rice paper. A. Uniformity and Homogeneity Rice paper used for windows and doors add aesthetic Apartments in South Korea used to be built in a uni- beauty to hanok. Also it is so functional that it keeps form, linear arrangement using the basically same warmth inside and quickly dries during the rainy sea- floor plan, stacking it vertically and horizontally son. (Chung Kee Lee). Korean apartment buildings are similar to a series of boxes. They look very simple III. THE FACTORS OF CHANGES: MODERNI- and undecorated. Even though every building is SATION, INDUSTRIALISATION AND URBA- slightly different in its hight, design and logo paint- NISATION ing, it is true all apartments are homogeneous and repetitive shape of housing complexes. On the out- There has been several attempts to change Korean side, there are open green fields and parking lots. traditional architecture. First of all, during the This open space is possible because each unit is built Japanese occupation, Japanese colonial government vertically, not horizontally. On each floor of an attempts to replace Korean architecture with Japanese apartment complex there are usually multiple units. architectural traditions(Bartholomew 1993).. Accord- Two or three, or sometimes more units share one ele- ing to Bartholomew, Japanese colonial government vator, hallway, stairway and electricity. Even the attempted to demolish structures of Korean Imperial floor plan of each unit is just same in most cases. palace and traditional Korean garden. The following is the explanation about the Korea- During the Korean war(1950-1953), many buildings nized Apartment Design: were destroyed. Thus, after the war, the modernisa- tion and the industrialisation of the nation, became Every unit is designed for a nuclear family of 4 the most important task that the Korean government people. Two bedrooms for children are right in should pursue. Since then, traditional buildings be- front of the entrance. The master bedroom for the came marginalised and actively destroyed during parents is placed in the deepest room and has a Korea’s rapid period of industrialisation. American separate bathroom. The living room is located in models became popular for new Korean buildings. the center of the unit, integrating the other rooms. Most buildings tended to be built quickly with little Balconies, which mostly face the south, provide regard for local identity. While urbanisation was oc- extra sunshine and outdoor access. There might curring rapidly in Seoul, migrated workers needed be little variation from this plan, but it is very their new homes in city. Because of urbanisation and rare. Considering that this is the result of a long industrialisation, while traditional hanok villages period of adaptation, the main characteristic of a were gradually disappeared, hundreds of simple Korean apartment is the ‘living room centered cheap apartments were constructed very fast. The plan’. This is a reflection of the ‘madang centered following short history of apartment in Seoul shows plan’ of hanoks, or Korean traditional hous- us how many apartments have occupied everywhere es(Wonseok Jang 2014). in this city: According to Wonseok Jang, the living room is the Seoul has been noted for its beautiful scenery place where many family activities take place such as comprised of surrounding mountains … with the watching TV, ancestral rites, and receiving guests.
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