The Samcheong Hanok and the Evolution of the Traditional Korean House

sustainability

Article The Samcheong Hanok and the Evolution of the Traditional Korean House

Yong-Hee Lee and Hyon-Sob Kim *

Department of Architecture, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]

Abstract: The hanok or traditional Korean house has evolved to meet modern conditions that are continually updated. The “Samcheong Hanok” located in Bukchon, the most representative hanok village in Seoul, is a typical example. The house was originally constructed around 1940 but underwent several stages of extension and repairs before finally being renovated by architect Wook Choi in 2000. It is arguable that the evolution of the Samcheong Hanok illustrates a typical history of modern hanok, which is characterized as two types according to certain periods. The first is the urban-type hanok, built approximately between 1930 and 1960, which is a standardized version that was mass-produced for anonymous clients by a developer. The second, introduced around 2000, is the contemporary hanok, an individualized and tailor-made version built for a specific client in general. Based on analysis and integration of Bukchon’s historical context and Samcheong Hanok’s records, this paper aims to trace and reconstruct a plausible history of the house to illustrate the typical historical aspects of modern hanok—urban-type and contemporary. In the conclusion, after revealing the rigidity of the current hanok support system, several suggestions for a creative evolution of hanok are offered.

Keywords: Samcheong Hanok; traditional Korean house; evolution; urban-type hanok; contemporary hanok

Citation: Lee, Y.-H.; Kim, H.-S. The Samcheong Hanok and the Evolution of the Traditional Korean House. 1. Introduction Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034. https:// In Bukchon, the most representative hanok village in Seoul, there is a unique hanok, doi.org/10.3390/su13169034 or traditional Korean house, which also looks modern (Figures1 and2). Originally built around 1940, the house underwent several stages of extension and repairs, and in 2000, Academic Editor: Asterios Bakolas was renovated by architect Wook Choi (born 1963) who called it “Samcheong Hanok” (or Samchung Hanok). Arguably, the evolution of the Samcheong Hanok illustrates a Received: 22 June 2021 typical history of modern hanok in the past century. In the history, sudden increases in the Accepted: 4 August 2021 Published: 12 August 2021 number of hanok buildings were detected around two specific periods: first, approximately in the three decades from the early 1930s; second, in the past two decades from 2000. This hanok urban-type contemporary Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral phenomenon leads to classification of the as or , according to with regard to jurisdictional claims in whether they were built in the first or second period, respectively [1,2]. published maps and institutional affil- Since the mid-1920s, housing demand increased rapidly due to urbanization and iations. modernization in Seoul (housing shortage in Seoul soared from 5.5% in 1925 to 22.1% in 1936 and became most severe between 1935 and 1940; the housing development was most active during the latter period) [3] (pp. 74–77) [4] (pp. 25–26), but without an adequate construction system. Given the circumstances, the hanok was the only type of house that could be swiftly constructed, and a modified version of the traditional hanok was Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. urban-type hanok Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. mass-produced for anonymous clients. This was the . However, further This article is an open access article urbanization and modernization caused its decline from the 1960s, resulting from the distributed under the terms and dominance of Western-style houses and apartment buildings. New opportunities for the conditions of the Creative Commons hanok emerged around the late 1990s. At that time, the Seoul Metropolitan Government Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// grappled with the preservation of old hanok buildings in urban areas. A result of these creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ efforts was the enactment of the “Hanok Registration System” stipulated in the “Plan 4.0/). of Bukchon Gardening” in 2001 (Hanok owners in the Bukchon area, who are willing to

Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169034 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Sustainability 2021, 13, x 2 of 21 Sustainability 2021, 13, x 2 of 21

Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 emerged around the late 1990s. At that time, the Seoul Metropolitan Government2 grap- of 21 emergedpled with around the preservation the late 1990s. of old At hanok that buildingstime, the Seoulin urban Metropolitan areas. A result Government of these efforts grap- pledwas thewith enactment the preservation of the “Hanok of old Registrationhanok buildings System” in urban stipulated areas. Ain resultthe “Plan of these of Bukchon efforts wasGardening” the enactment in 2001 of (Hanok the “Hanok owners Registration in the Bukchon System” area, stipulated who are willingin the “Plan to preserve of Bukchon their preserveGardening”hanok buildings, their inhanok 2001 canbuildings, ( Hanokbe financia owners canlly be insupported financially the Bukchon in supported the area, improvement who in the are improvement willing and repair to preserveand works) repair their [5] works)hanok(p. 9), buildings,which [5] (p. successfully 9), whichcan be successfullyfinancia drew attentionlly supported drew to attention the inhanok the to fromimprovement the hanokthe publicfrom and and the repair the public architectural works) and the [5] architectural(p.profession. 9), which This profession.successfully induced Thisdrewa hanok induced attention boom, a providingtohanok the hanokboom, architects from providing the with public architectsample and theopportunities witharchitectural ample to opportunitiesprofession.initiate hanok This toprojects initiate induced forhanok aspecific hanokprojects boom,clients, for providing specificoften wi clients,th architects experimental often with with designsample experimental opportunities breaking designs away to breakinginitiatefrom traditional hanok away projects from standards. traditional for specific This standards. newly clients, modified often This wi newly hanokth experimental—individualized modified hanok designs—individualized and breaking tailor-made, away andfrombuilt tailor-made, duringtraditional the builtrevival—isstandards. during Thisreferred the revival—isnewly to asmodified the referred contemporary hanok to—individualized as the hanokcontemporary. and hanok tailor-made,. built during the revival—is referred to as the contemporary hanok.

FigureFigure 1. 1.One One of of thethe mostmost popularpopular scenes scenes of of thethe BukchonBukchon Hanok Hanok Village Village (Photograph (Photograph by by the the author). author). Figure 1. One of the most popular scenes of the Bukchon Hanok Village (Photograph by the author).

Figure 2. Street view of the Samcheong Hanok (Photograph by the author). FigureFigure 2. 2.Street Street view view of of the the Samcheong Samcheong Hanok Hanok (Photograph (Photograph by by the the author). author).

In this way, the two types of hanok emerged in response to the demands of their respective times and represent the modern history of the hanok. To investigate the history and evolution of the hanok, this paper examines the Samcheong Hanok. There are several Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 3 of 21

crucial reasons for focusing on this specific example. First, the Samcheong Hanok illustrates how both types of hanok emerged and transformed over the past century. Though this house does not exhibit all the details that are representative of both hanok types, it undoubtedly characterizes their major features. In particular, this house—as a contemporary hanok— is the result of re-interpretation of tradition at the discretion of an individual architect. This fact forms a basis for discussion about a possible direction for hanok in the future. Second, the Samcheong Hanok holds certain clues and records through which we can trace its history. Above all, numbers of previous studies on the urban-type hanok of Bukchon provide historical data applicable to this house. More directly, various drawings (plans, sections, and elevations) and photographs, which show the pre- and post-renovation states of the house, are available (Figure3). (The author was provided with drawings and photographs by the architect. In fact, however, they had already been published— though some photographs differ—immediately following the completion of the renovation work [6]). This availability is critical because the pre- and post-renovation floor plans and sections drawn by the architect allow us to understand the state of the house before and after the renovation. Third, the timing of renovation, that is, the year 2000, is significant as it was prior to the enactment of various hanok support guidelines and regulations. For example, the “Seoul Hanok Support Ordinance” (2002) [7] and the “Bukchon District Unit Plan (Type I)” (2010) [8] were enacted following the aforementioned “Hanok Registration System” (2001) [5]. Therefore, the house could ensure relatively free design processes for renovating the pre-existing hanok, though it was not financially supported by the ordinance. The guidelines and regulations led to the hanok boom but greatly limited fresh attempts at new hanok designs. This Samcheong Hanok case would reveal an unintended effect of the hanok support system. Based on these reasons, this paper aims to trace and reconstruct a plausible history of the Samcheong Hanok, focusing on its floor plan. The (floor) plan is not only the “generator” of architecture—if following Le Corbusier (Vers une Architecture, 1923) [9]—but also the only common ground, on which different stages of the Samcheong Hanok evolution can be compared. This paper is expected to highlight typical aspects of modern hanok while examining a possible direction for the hanok in this new century. Sustainability 2021, 13, x 4 of 21 Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 4 of 21

FigureFigure 3.3. ComparativeComparative drawings of the Samcheong Hanok, Hanok, before before ( (aa)) and and after after (b (b) )renovation renovation in in 20002000 (Courtesy(Courtesy ofof OneOne OO OneOne Architects/rearrangedArchitects/rearranged by by the the author). author). 2. Urban-Type Hanok and Contemporary Hanok Based on these reasons, this paper aims to trace and reconstruct a plausible history of theTo Samcheong discuss the Hanok, Samcheong focusing Hanok, on its we floor must plan. review The (floor) the urban-type plan is notand onlycontemporary the “gen- hanokerator”, but of aarchitecture—if brief mention following of the hanok Le itselfCorbusier also seems(Vers une necessary. Architecture The, 1923) term [9]—but “hanok”, literallyalso the “Koreanonly common house”, ground, was coinedon which at thedifferent turn ofstages the twentiethof the Samcheong century Hanok to distinguish evolu- traditionaltion can be Koreancompared. buildings This paper from is Western-style expected to highlight ones, called typical “yangok”, aspects thatof modern started hanok being builtwhile around examining the a time possible [10]. direction Most of for all, the the hanokhanok in isthis characterized new century. by its wood-frame structure comprising columns, girders, beams, rafters, and many other smaller components (Figure2. Urban-Type4). This Hanok structure and stands Contemporary on a platform Hanok and supports its roof, whether tiled or thatched.To discuss In terms the of Samcheong space, the Hanok,hanok is we unique, must owingreview to the the urban-type coexistence and of contemporary the ondol, or floorhanok heated, but a brief room, mention and the ofmaru the hanok, or wooden-floor itself also seems space, necessary. within The the term same “hanok”, building. lit- In general, several buildings together form one hanok—particularly for upper class families— while outer walls define the boundary of the hanok, within which the women’s quarter and Sustainability 2021, 13, x 5 of 21

erally “Korean house”, was coined at the turn of the twentieth century to distinguish traditional Korean buildings from Western-style ones, called “yangok”, that started being built around the time [10]. Most of all, the hanok is characterized by its wood-frame structure comprising columns, girders, beams, rafters, and many other smaller components (Figure 4). This structure stands on a platform and supports its roof, whether tiled or Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 thatched. In terms of space, the hanok is unique, owing to the coexistence of the ondol5 of, 21or floor heated room, and the maru, or wooden-floor space, within the same building. In general, several buildings together form one hanok—particularly for upper class families— while outer walls define the boundary of the hanok, within which the women’s quarter theand men’s the men’s quarter quarter were furtherwere further deﬁned. defined. The madang The ,madang or courtyard,, or courtyard, within the within outer the walls outer is alsowalls considered is also considered important important because thisbecause outdoor this space,outdoor though space, empty, though can empty, be ﬂexibly can be used flex- foribly various used for purposes. various Thispurposes. traditional This buildingtraditional type building came totype experience came to drasticexperience changes drastic in thechanges twentieth in the century, twentieth with century, the emergence with the of emergence the urban-type of the hanok urban-type. hanok.

FigureFigure 4. 4.A A typicaltypical traditionaltraditionalhanok hanok inin HahoeHahoe Village,Village, Andong,Andong, GyeongbukGyeongbuk ProvinceProvince (Photograph(Photograph by the author). by the author).

TheTheurban-type urban-type hanok hanok, collectively, collectively built built between between 1930 1930 and and 1960, 1960, was was the the most most universal univer- housingsal housing type type of the of timethe time that that was was newly newly adapted adapted for thefor urbanizationthe urbanization and and modernization moderniza- Sustainability 2021, 13, x 17 of 21 oftion Seoul of Seoul (Figure (Figure5). Notably, 5). Notably, rapid changesrapid changes in urban in planningurban planning at that time,at that including time, including those pertainingthose pertaining to the streetto the systemstreet system and subdivision and subdivision of housing of housing lots, subsequentlylots, subsequently led to led the to modificationthe modification of the of traditional the traditionalhanok tohanok a largely to a largely different differenturban-type urban-type hanok. Based hanok on. Based studies, on suchstudies, as Song such (1990),as Song Seong (1990), (2003), Seong and (2003), Jeon and and Jeon Kwon and (2012) Kwon [1 (2012),4,10], [1,4,10], the characteristics the charac-exterior gate (main gate). The windows on the wall were also not traditional. Without the ofteristics the urban-type of the urban-type hanok could hanok be could summarized be summarized as follows. as follows. First, First, the standardizationthe standardization oftraditional roof, there would be no reason for this house to be considered a hanok from its plan.of plan. This This characteristic characteristic was was definitely definitely impacted impacted by by changes changes in in the the relationship relationship between betweenexternal appearance. Similarly, changes inside the outer wall were as drastic. The middle hanokhanok supplierssuppliers andand clientsclients (or(or consumers). consumers). WithWith thetheemergence emergenceof of specialized specialized housing housinggate that used to be situated on the left after passing the main gate was lost. It signifies a developersdevelopers (or(or theirtheir organizations),organizations), thethe traditionaltraditional “one-to-one”“one-to-one” relationshiprelationship betweenbetweendisintegration aa of munganchae and an expansion of madang. Moreover, the total floor area carpentercarpenter andand aa clientclient shiftedshifted toto a a new new “one-to-many” “one-to-many” relationship relationship between between one one supplier supplierincreased as the empty space between the two rooms on the west side was incorporated andand anan unspecifiedunspecified number number of of clients clients [1] [1 (pp.] (pp. 32–34). 32–34). This This mass-produced mass-produced hanokhanok was com-wasinto the indoor space. As verified in the floor plan (Figure 17), the “「」-shape” or “open commercializedmercialized while while its itsplan plan was was simplified, simplified, such such as as “ㄱ “¬-shape,”-shape,” “ “ㄷ-shape,”-shape,” and ““ㅁ--shape” of the plan, which had been maintained since it was first built, shows a subtle -shape.”shape.” Second, the compactness of of space. space. In In the the 1930s, 1930s, many many housing housing< lots lots at at the the center centervariation. of In this process, the living room—equivalent to the daecheong in the traditional ofSeoul Seoul were were subdivided—a subdivided—a larger larger lot lot was was converted converted into into a a good number ofof smallersmaller lots,lots,hanok —was extended westwards up to the same width as the madang, and rooms on the therebythereby reducing reducing the the size size of of the the required requiredhanok hanokand and compacting compacting the the spatial spatial composition. composition. Asopposite sides of the living room came to face each other. The arrangement of rooms was a result, for example, the madang became centralized. Different to the typical hanok in thealso changed; for example, the kitchen/dining room was now relocated at the northern past, which comprised several buildings and courtyards within outer walls, the urban-typecorner, and a second toilet (now a proper bathroom) was added to the room near the gate. hanok basically contains a single courtyard at the center of the house (Figure6). At the sameWithin these changes, however, the existing wooden structure was maintained as far as time, the building itself serves as the outer wall, which is unlike the traditional hanok thatpossible. The living room showcased the beauty of tradition through four independent has walls generally detached from main buildings. Another interesting change related to thesquare columns and, in particular, the wooden frame of the roof that reveals the original compactness of space is the location of the toilet. It was previously detached from the maincomposition of the girder, beam, and rafter. buildings but is now included in the munganchae or gate building. Third, the neutralization Arguably, the most remarkable attempt in this renovation was the creation of a type of space. In the traditional hanok, the space was divided into the women’s quarter, anchaeof— wooden deck on the madang. This wooden deck is reminiscent of the maru, where the the innermost building—and the men’s quarter, sarangchae—the outer building, basedfloor pattern was intended to be same as that of the living room, hinting at the traditional daecheong or daecheong-maru. Its installation reduced the gap in height between the living room and the madang by raising the level of the latter and facilitated the floor material (red pine) and pattern to continue between the living room and madang. Indeed, the madang is not only an exterior space, open to the sky, but also an interior space as an extension of the living room. This kind of continuity was further enhanced by the whole-glass wall installed between the two spaces, eliminating the visual boundary between the inside and outside. Meanwhile, two challenges to tradition can be noted here. The first is the white- colored northern wall inside the living room, where the white plane continues to the ceiling just above it. Though possibly reminiscent of a white-papered room in a traditional house, it is highly reminiscent of the vocabulary of Western modernism characterized by white and planar surfaces. The horizontally long clerestory window in-between the living room wall and ceiling also assumes the typical image of modern architecture. The other challenge is the unfamiliar pattern on the sliding doors, which critically differs from the traditional Korean style. In fact, it even embodies a certain Japanese nuance due to its simplicity and repeated pattern of horizonal lines. Although such impression might not be universal, the possible Japanese implication is still a sensitive issue in Korean architecture—particularly in buildings directly related to tradition, such as this house. However, architect Wook Choi, who was more sensitive to modern function and aesthetic, kept a distance from such issues. In short, this renovation stage, in which the architect boldly transformed an urban- type hanok into a contemporary hanok, is surely the most salient stage in the Samcheong Hanok history.

4. Meaning of the Samcheong Hanok History As discussed, there have been a series of changes in the Samcheong Hanok history, whether major or minor, ranging from the stage of new construction around 1940 to the stage of renovation in 2000, via the in-between stages of extension and repairs. Tracing the history, this study reconstructed the floor plans of the house in the first two stages, with relation to the architect’s floor plans in the last two stages. If we juxtapose and compare them (Figure 18), we could more easily understand how the house has transformed through the stages over time. The extension of space is conspicuous in the second stage (early 1960s), and the modernization of kitchen and toilet in the third stage (1960s–1990s), although the most dramatic change is recognizable in the plan of the renovation stage (2000). If so, what does the history of the Samcheong Hanok tell us explicitly or implicitly? Sustainability 2021, 13, x 6 of 21

As a result, for example, the madang became centralized. Different to the typical hanok in the past, which comprised several buildings and courtyards within outer walls, the urban- type hanok basically contains a single courtyard at the center of the house (Figure 6). At the same time, the building itself serves as the outer wall, which is unlike the traditional hanok that has walls generally detached from main buildings. Another interesting change re- Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 lated to the compactness of space is the location of the toilet. It was previously detached6 of 21 from the main buildings but is now included in the munganchae or gate building. Third, the neutralization of space. In the traditional hanok, the space was divided into the women’s quarter, anchae—the innermost building—and the men’s quarter, sarangchae— onthe gender outer building, role. However, based on as thegender compact role. However,urban-type as hanok the compactcould not urban-type have such hanok a spatial could division,not have the such space a spatial was neutralized. division, the This space characteristic was neutralized. signiﬁes This that characteristic the emergence signifies of the urban-typethat the emergence hanok not onlyof the inﬂuenced urban-type changes hanok not in only the physical influenced building changes but in also the in physical social consciousness.building but also Fourth, in social the modernization consciousness. of Fourth, building the equipment. modernization Owing of to building the “Housing equip- Improvementment. Owing Movement”to the “Housing from Improvement the late 1920s Movement” [11] (pp. 207–238), from the the late old-fashioned 1920s [11] (pp. lifestyle 207– in238), the the traditional old-fashionedhanok waslifestyle criticized in the andtraditional its modernization hanok was criticized was promoted. and its moderniza- This often relatedtion was to promoted. building equipment This often inrelated the toilet to bu andilding kitchen, equipment where in watering, the toilet heating, and kitchen, and sanitationwhere watering, systems heating, are integrated. and sanitation Though syst notems immediately are integrated. implemented Though in not early immediately examples ofimplemented the urban-type in hanokearly, theexamples modernization of the urban-type of building hanok equipment, the modernization was gradually of realizedbuilding asequipment technology was advanced. gradually realized as technology advanced.

FigureFigure 5. 5.Bird’s Bird’s eye eye view view of of Bukchon Bukchon in in 1954 1954. (Photograph Photograph byby InSikInSik Lim,Lim, reprintedreprintedwith withpermission permission fromfrom © © ChungAm ChungAm Archive. Archive. Copyright Copyright 1954 1954 InSik Insik Lim).Lim. Sustainability 2021,, 1313,, 9034x 7 of 21

Figure 6.6. Exemplary floor ﬂoor plans of the traditional hanok and the urban-type hanok in Bukchon:Bukchon: ( (a) Jae-wan Lee’s house, Gahoe-dong, 19th19th centurycentury (Courtesy (Courtesy of of Seoul Seoul Museum Museum of History/redrawnof History/redrawn by theby the author); author); (b) 11-42(b) 11-42 and 11-104and 11-104 Gahoe-dong, Gahoe- 1930sdong, (Adapted1930s (Adapted with permission with perm fromission ref. from [12 ref.]. Copyright [12]. Copyright 2011 Gomsi 2011 Gomsi Publisher). Publisher).

With the spread of modernmodern housinghousing (the(the yangokyangok single-familysingle-family house,house, thethe apartmentapartment house, and thethe smallsmall or or medium-scale medium-scale multi-family multi-family house), house), however, however, the the construction construction of the of theurban-type urban-type hanok hanokrapidly rapidly decreased decreased from from the late the 1960s late and1960s remained and remained confined confined to a limited to a limitedarea. In area. other In words, other existing words, hanokexistingbuildings, hanok buildings, whethertraditional whether traditional or urban-type or ,urban-type have been, havedestroyed been bydestroyed the modernization by the modernization process—typically, process—typically, the large-scale the apartment large-scale development apartment developmentin urban and suburbanin urban and areas; suburban and the areas; “Saemaeul and the Undong” “Saemaeul (New Undong” Village Movement(New Village in MovementKorea) of the in 1970sKorea) and of the 1980s 1970s in theand countryside. 1980s in the countryside. This crisis of Thishanok crisisin turn of hanok led to inhanok turn ledpreservation to hanok preservation movements: movements: for example, for various example, regulations various regulations for hanok preservation for hanok preser- have vationbeen introduced have been tointroduced Bukchon to since Bukcho 1970sn since [5] (pp. 1970s 35–36). [5] (pp. Yet, 35–36). the hanok Yet, thefaced hanok another faced anothercrisis from crisis the from beginning the beginning of the 1990s of the when 1990s residents when residents in Bukchon in Bukchon demanded demanded total easing total easingof previous of previous regulations regulations for hanok for preservationhanok preservation to develop to develop their propertiestheir properties according accord- to ingtheir to own their specifications. own specifications. Fortunately, Fortunately, various varioushanok hanoksupport support guidelines guidelines and and incentives incen- tivesintroduced introduced in the in early the early 2000s, 2000s, as aforementioned, as aforementioned, actively actively helped helped the preservation the preservation and hanok andrevival revival of the of the hanokby successfully by successfully obtaining obtaining the cooperationthe cooperation of residents. of residents. In all, In 353all, out353 of the 912 houses in Bukchon were registered until November 2005 (registration rate of out of the 912 houses in Bukchon were registered until November 2005 (registration rate 38.7%), and 504 cases (313 cases of subsidy and 191 cases of loan) were determined eligible of 38.7%), and 504 cases (313 cases of subsidy and 191 cases of loan) were determined for remodeling support. As a result, 203 hanok buildings were remodeled with a total eligible for remodeling support. As a result, 203 hanok buildings were remodeled with a financial support of KRW 12.6 billion (KRW 9 billion as subsidy and KRW 3.6 billion as total financial support of KRW 12.6 billion (KRW 9 billion as subsidy and KRW 3.6 billion loan) [13](p. 29). With increased hanok construction in Bukchon as a foothold, the hanok has as loan) [13] (p. 29). With increased hanok construction in Bukchon as a foothold, the hanok re-emerged in the world of architecture, partly sustained by the present trend of retro-styles. has re-emerged in the world of architecture, partly sustained by the present trend of retro- Combined with contemporary architecture, it is now called the contemporary hanok. More styles. Combined with contemporary architecture, it is now called the contemporary hanok. precisely, the contemporary hanok refers to a contemporary building that integrates modern More precisely, the contemporary hanok refers to a contemporary building that integrates Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 8 of 21

constructional and/or finishing methods with the basic frame of hanok, such as traditional wood structure, roof frame, and appearance [2]. The contemporary hanok has not yet been sufficiently studied; however, this paper defines its characteristics as follows. First, the modernization of building equipment and interior design. While maintaining the basic structure and form of the traditional hanok, the contemporary hanok adopts continually changing technologies to compensate for the shortcomings of an outdated hanok as the urban-type hanok did similarly. The poor cooling/heating system and hygienic equipment are most notable. In addition, it seeks contemporary stylistic preferences with sophisticated interior designs. Second, the use of updated building materials and construction methods. Attempts were made to graft contemporary structural components onto the traditional wood structure. Take the C Hanok (2013), renovated by Seung-mo Seo, for example, where parts of old wooden beams were replaced by steel beams, and wooden columns by a steel pipe and an H-shaped steel column. Moreover, the weight of the hanok’s roof structure could be reduced by adopting a dry construction method, which uses dry roof tiles and eliminates the traditional layer of mud beneath the tiles—the wet-roof system of hanok has been one of the most required parts to be modernized to improve the traditional hanok. Further, architects sometimes break common-sense rules of the conventional hanok structure, either to reduce construction costs or produce an aesthetic effect. Perhaps the most representative example is the Namsandong Hanok (2014) in Gyeongju, designed by the Japanese architect Masanori Tomii, in which the daedeulbo, or crossbeam, was removed from the roof structure. This can be considered radical because the daedeulbo is among the most critical and symbolic elements in traditional Korean architecture. Third, the vertical extension of space. One chief reason that the hanok is not competitive in the present housing market is the low floor area ratio owing to its single- story structure. Recently, architects often insert basement and attic spaces—uncommon in the traditional hanok—in their design to secure a maximum usable area of the building. Such a vertical extension of space, which suggests a possibility of a multiple-story hanok, may be the most representative characteristic of the contemporary hanok. Doo-jin Hwang, in particular, emphasizes the vertical extension of space as in Mumuheon (2004), Donginjae (2006), L Residence (2009), and Mokgyeongheon (2015) [14]. Fourth, the combination with modern architecture. This refers to a unique situation wherein the composition of a single building is part hanok and part modern; however, as a whole, the building could be regarded as a (contemporary) hanok. Although this characteristic is found only in a small number of cases, it is noteworthy. For instance, some hanok buildings have a modern building part (or a Western-style wood structure); whereas some modern buildings have a hanok part attached to their main structure. The Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine Building (2003) and Hamyangjae (2012), designed by Jung-goo Cho, and the DBEW Design Center (2003), designed by Seok-chul Kim, are the examples. Arguably, many contemporary hanok Sustainabilitybuildings 2021 result, 13, from x experimental attempts by creative architects who do not hesitate to 17 of 21 combine the old with the new under current conditions.

3. Tracing the History of the Samcheong Hanok Undoubtedly, the Samcheongexterior Hanok gate (main illustrates gate). theThe characteristics windows on th ofe thewallurban-type were also not traditional. Without the hanok and the contemporary hanoktraditionalat each roof, stage, there with would diverse be no changes reason for between this house the twoto be considered a hanok from its stages. This paper argues thatexternal the changes appearance. are largely Similarly, traceable changes by analyzing inside thethe building’souter wall were as drastic. The middle limited remaining records. Here,gate that the used history to ofbe thesituated Samcheong on the left Hanok after is passing classified the intomain gate was lost. It signifies a four stages: new construction,disintegration extension, repairs, of munganchae and renovation. and an Eachexpansion stage isof defined madang by. Moreover, the total floor area major changes, although otherincreased minor alterations as the empty must space have between occurred the at intervals.two rooms on the west side was incorporated into the indoor space. As verified in the floor plan (Figure 17), the “「」-shape” or “open 3.1. New Construction: “Openㅁ-shape”-Shaped” of Urban-Type the plan, which Hanok had (Around been 1940) maintained since it was first built, shows a subtle The Samcheong Hanokvariation. was first In built this in process, Bukchon, the specifically,living room—equivalent 35-88 Samcheong- to the daecheong in the traditional dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Althoughhanok—was no direct extended record westwards of the first up construction to the same is width available, as the madang, and rooms on the the construction time can beopposite assumed sides based of the on theliving information room came regarding to face each housing other. lotThe arrangement of rooms was division in the area. One studyalso showschanged; how for the example, housing the lot kitchen/dini of 35 Samcheong-dongng room was was now relocated at the northern corner, and a second toilet (now a proper bathroom) was added to the room near the gate. Within these changes, however, the existing wooden structure was maintained as far as possible. The living room showcased the beauty of tradition through four independent square columns and, in particular, the wooden frame of the roof that reveals the original composition of the girder, beam, and rafter. Arguably, the most remarkable attempt in this renovation was the creation of a type of wooden deck on the madang. This wooden deck is reminiscent of the maru, where the floor pattern was intended to be same as that of the living room, hinting at the traditional daecheong or daecheong-maru. Its installation reduced the gap in height between the living room and the madang by raising the level of the latter and facilitated the floor material (red pine) and pattern to continue between the living room and madang. Indeed, the madang is not only an exterior space, open to the sky, but also an interior space as an extension of the living room. This kind of continuity was further enhanced by the whole-glass wall installed between the two spaces, eliminating the visual boundary between the inside and outside. Meanwhile, two challenges to tradition can be noted here. The first is the white- colored northern wall inside the living room, where the white plane continues to the ceiling just above it. Though possibly reminiscent of a white-papered room in a traditional house, it is highly reminiscent of the vocabulary of Western modernism characterized by white and planar surfaces. The horizontally long clerestory window in-between the living room wall and ceiling also assumes the typical image of modern architecture. The other challenge is the unfamiliar pattern on the sliding doors, which critically differs from the traditional Korean style. In fact, it even embodies a certain Japanese nuance due to its simplicity and repeated pattern of horizonal lines. Although such impression might not be universal, the possible Japanese implication is still a sensitive issue in Korean architecture—particularly in buildings directly related to tradition, such as this house. However, architect Wook Choi, who was more sensitive to modern function and aesthetic, kept a distance from such issues. In short, this renovation stage, in which the architect boldly transformed an urban- type hanok into a contemporary hanok, is surely the most salient stage in the Samcheong Hanok history.

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the construction time can be assumed based on the information regarding housing lot division in the area. One study shows how the housing lot of 35 Samcheong-dong was sub- subdivided between the mid-1920s and early 1940s (Figure7)[ 15] (pp. 252–253), and we divided between the mid-1920s and early 1940s (Figure 7) [15] (pp. 252–253), and we can can conﬁrm that the site, 35-88 Samcheong-dong, had been realized by January 1939. The confirmpreparation that ofthe housing site, 35-88 sites Samcheong-dong and the actual construction, had been realized of houses by in January the sites 1939. could The be preparationseparate issues. of housing Nevertheless, sites and it is verythe actual likely co thatnstruction the construction of houses of housesin the sites followed could soon be separateafter the housingissues. Nevertheless, site preparation, it is consideringvery likely thethat housing the construction shortage inof Seoul houses in thefollowed 1930s soonand responsiveafter the housing active housingsite preparation, development considering [3,4]. Indeed, the housing it was reportedshortage thatin Seoul 6000–7000 in the 1930snew housesand responsive were built active in Seoul housing between developmen 1933 andt [3,4]. 1935, Indeed, including it was approximately reported that 6000– 4000 7000in Bukchon new houses [16]. Therefore,were built we in maySeoul assume between that 1933 the and Samcheong 1935, including Hanok wasapproximately most likely 4000built in in Bukchon the late 1930s [16]. or,Therefore, at the latest, we may very assume early 1940s. that the Additionally, Samcheong it seemsHanok thatwas the most 35 likelySamcheong-dong built in the late area 1930s was developed or, at the latest, as a residential very early district 1940s.by Additionally, developer Dae-gyu it seems Jung, that thewho 35 owned Samcheong-dong the land [4] (pp. area 17–18) was developed [15] (p. 271 as and a residential 377). This impliesdistrict thatby developer the Samcheong Dae- gyuHanok Jung, is awho mass-produced owned the landurban-type [4] (pp. hanok 17–18)building, [15] (p. and 271 its and ﬂoor 377). plan This would implies be typical that the of Samcheongsuch houses. Hanok One study is a mass-produced illustrated various urban-type plans hanok of houses building, located and in its one floor block plan south would of beSamcheong typical of Hanoksuch houses. (Figure One8), which study also illustra belongedted various to 35 Samcheong-dong.plans of houses located These in plans one blockdiffer south from eachof Samcheong other in scale Hanok and (Figure room arrangement 8), which also but belonged have the to typical 35 Samcheong-dong. characteristics Theseof the urban-typeplans differ hanok, fromas each described other in in scal thee previous and room section arrangement of the paper. but have the typical characteristics of the urban-type hanok, as described in the previous section of the paper.

Figure 7. Several stages of housing lot division in 35 Samcheong-dong and the location of 35-88 Samcheong-dong, in which Figure 7. Several stages of housing lot division in 35 Samcheong-dong and the location of 35-88 Samcheong-dong, in which the Samcheong Hanok was built (Courtesy of Seoul Museum of History/redrawn by the author with the location of the the Samcheong Hanok was built (Courtesy of Seoul Museum of History/redrawn by the author with the location of the Samcheong Hanok marked). Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 10 of 21 Sustainability 2021, 13, x 10 of 21

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Figure 8. Floor plans of twenty urban-type hanok buildings in 35 Samcheong-dong, near the Samcheong Hanok (Reprinted withwith permissionpermission fromfrom ref.[3]. [Copyright3]. Copyright 1987 1987 Sun-jaeexterior Sun-jae Kim). gate Kim). (main gate). The windows on the wall were also not traditional. Without the traditional roof, there would be no reason for this house to be considered a hanok from its Based onexternal the floor floor appearance. plans of neighboring Similarly, houses—especiallyhous changeses—especially inside the thosethoseouter of ofwall a similar were as size drastic. and The middle context toto the thegate site—and site—and that used the the pre-renovation to pre-renovation be situated drawingson thedrawings left made after made inpassing 2000, in this2000, the studymain this reconstructedgatestudy was recon- lost. It signifies a astructed plausible a plausible floordisintegration plan floor of the plan Samcheong of munganchaeof the Samche Hanok andong when an Hanok expansion first built when aroundof first madang built 1940.. Moreover,around In other 1940. words, the Intotal floor area thisother presumable words, thisincreased firstpresumable plan as the (Figure firstempty9 plan) resultedspace (Figure between from 9) resulted the the comparison two from rooms the andcomparisonon the integration west andside of inte-was its incorporated twogration conditions of its intotwo in thetheconditions lateindoor 1930s space.in andthe lateAs late verified 1930s 1990s. and We in thelate can floor now1990s. plan re-examine We (Figure can now the 17), re-examine plan the in“「」 reverse.-shape” the or “open Theplan planin reverse. is “ ㅁ-shape” -shaped,”The plan of is orthe “ moreㅁ plan,-shaped,” specifically which orhad more “openbeen specifically maintained-shaped “open since (py),” ㅁit consisting was-shaped first (built,「」 of two),” shows a subtle “¬-shaped” units.variation. Of course, In this the process,madang thise at living the center room—equivalent of the plan. Moreover, to the daecheong the building in the traditional consisting of two “ㄱ-shaped” units. Of course, the madang is at the center of the plan. blocks themselveshanok serve—was as extended outer walls, westwards dispensing up withto the the same traditional width as independent the madang, walls. and rooms on the Moreover, the building blocks themselves serve as outer walls, dispensing with the tradi- Hence, theseopposite features correspondsides of the toliving the characteristicsroom came to fa ofce the eachurban-type other. The hanok arrangement. However, of rooms was tional independent walls. Hence, these features correspond to the characteristics of the the internal roomalso changed; arrangement for example, is uncertain the kitchen/dini at this stage,ng and room thus, was the now reconstruction relocated at the northern urban-type hanok. However, the internal room arrangement is uncertain at this stage, and plan inevitablycorner, follows and the a second pre-renovation toilet (now plan a proper as a whole. bathroom) The resultant was added composition to the room is near the gate. thus, the reconstruction plan inevitably follows the pre-renovation plan as a whole. The that four (ondolWithin) rooms these and changes, the daecheong however,, or wooden-flooredthe existing wooden central structure hall (of was which maintained cool as far as resultant composition is that four (ondol) rooms and the daecheong, or wooden-floored cen- maru space contrastspossible. with The the living floor-heated room showcasedondol rooms), the beau alongty with of tradition the kitchen through and toilet, four independent tral hall (of which cool maru space contrasts with the floor-heated ondol rooms), along with surround the squaremadang .columns Here, the and, kitchen in particular, was relocated the wooden between frame two rooms of the in roof the that east reveals wing, the original the kitchen and toilet, surround the madang. Here, the kitchen was relocated between two differing fromcomposition the pre-renovation of the girder, plan; in beam, particular, and rafter. the traditional type of kitchen with an rooms in the east wing, differing from the pre-renovation plan; in particular, the tradi- agungi fireplace (forArguably, cooking and the heating)most remarkable is situated attempt there to in warm this renovation the ondol rooms was the on bothcreation of a type tional type of kitchen with an agungi fireplace (for cooking and heating) is situated there sides or, at least,of wooden the main deck room onanbang the madangon the. This left. Awooden similar deck room-kitchen is reminiscent arrangement of the maru is , where the to warm the ondol rooms on both sides or, at least, the main room anbang on the left. A found in the floorfloor planpattern of 35-20 was intended Samcheong-dong to be same (Figure as that8). of The the toiletliving beside room, thehinting gate, at or the traditional similar room-kitchen arrangement is found in the floor plan of 35-20 Samcheong-dong at one side ofdaecheong the (minimized) or daecheong-marumunganchae., Its must installation be an old-fashioned reduced the one gap and in height rather smallbetween the living (Figure 8). The toilet beside the gate, or at one side of the (minimized) munganchae, must in size. To understandroom and detailsthe madang about by service raising spaces the level such of asthe toilets latter andand kitchens,facilitated we the could floor material (red be an old-fashioned one and rather small in size. To understand details about service also refer to severalpine) and contemporary pattern to continue houses with between the Samcheong the living room Hanok and in madang 11 Gahoe-dong,. Indeed, the madang is spaces such as toilets and kitchens, we could also refer to several contemporary houses located next tonot Samcheong-dong only an exterior inspace, Bukchon—the open to the housing sky, but lots, also and an housesinterior themselves,space as an extension of with the Samcheong Hanok in 11 Gahoe-dong, located next to Samcheong-dong in Buk- in 11 Gahoe-dongthe living started room. being This developed kind of incontinuity 1935 (Figure was6 further)[ 12] (p. enhanced 93) [15] (p.by 229the andwhole-glass wall 371).chon—the However, housing it seems lots, relativelyand houses easy themselv to assumees, in the 11 firstGahoe-dong state of the started house’s being structure, devel- installed between the two spaces, eliminating the visual boundary between the inside and comparedoped in 1935 with (Figure that of 6) the [12] spatial (p. 93) composition, [15] (p. 229 and because 371). theHowever, Samcheong it seems Hanok relatively is a typical easy outside. Meanwhile, two challenges to tradition can be noted here. The first is the white- urban-typeto assume hanokthe firstof state the time. of the It musthouse’s have stru hadcture, the compared basic wood-frame with that structure of the spatial to support com- colored northern wall inside the living room, where the white plane continues to the ceil- theposition, traditional because roof. the Samcheong Hanok is a typical urban-type hanok of the time. It must ing just above it. Though possibly reminiscent of a white-papered room in a traditional have had the basic wood-frame structure to support the traditional roof. house, it is highly reminiscent of the vocabulary of Western modernism characterized by white and planar surfaces. The horizontally long clerestory window in-between the living room wall and ceiling also assumes the typical image of modern architecture. The other challenge is the unfamiliar pattern on the sliding doors, which critically differs from the traditional Korean style. In fact, it even embodies a certain Japanese nuance due to its simplicity and repeated pattern of horizonal lines. Although such impression might not be universal, the possible Japanese implication is still a sensitive issue in Korean architecture—particularly in buildings directly related to tradition, such as this house. However, architect Wook Choi, who was more sensitive to modern function and aesthetic, kept a distance from such issues. In short, this renovation stage, in which the architect boldly transformed an urban- type hanok into a contemporary hanok, is surely the most salient stage in the Samcheong Hanok history.

Figure 9. Plausible floor plan of the Samcheong Hanok when first built around 1940 (drawn by the Figure 9. Plausible ﬂoor plan of the Samcheong Hanok when ﬁrst built around 1940 (Drawn by the author). author).

3.2.3.2. Extension: Extension: Enlarged Enlarged Space Space (Early (Early 1960s) 1960s) ForFor two two reasons, reasons, we we can can assume assume that that there there was was an an extension extension work work to to the the Samcheong Samcheong Hanok,Hanok, probably probably in in the the early early 1960s. 1960s. First, First, many manyurban-type urban-type hanok hanokbuildings buildings in in Bukchon Bukchon underwentunderwent extensionsextensions toto enlarge their their interior interior spaces spaces during during this this period period [17] [17 (p.] (p.19). 19).Sec- Second,ond, the the building building register register of 35-88 of 35-88 Samcheong-dong Samcheong-dong suggests suggests that thatthe owner the owner of the of house the housechanged changed in August in August 1961, 1961,which which was confirmed was confirmed at Jongno-gu at Jongno-gu Office Office(23 April (23 2018). April 2018).There- Therefore,fore, it is ithighly is highly probable probable that that the theSamcheong Samcheong Hanok Hanok extension extension was was carried carried out out with with its itstransfer transfer to to the the new new owner. owner. (Even (Even though though th thee extension was mademade atat aa differentdifferent timing, timing, therethere would would be be no no big big differencedifference inin thethe extensionextension method or or the the floor floor plan.) plan.) According According to toGwang-no Gwang-no Lee Lee et etal., al., the the most most typical typical method method for extension for extension in Gahoe-dong in Gahoe-dong houses houses was to wasbroaden to broaden the space the spacetowards towards the street the streetby bu byilding building a new a outer new outerwall under wall under newly newly added addedeaves eaves[12] (p. [12 59).] (p. A 59). similar A similar method method appear appearss to have to havebeen beenimplemented implemented with withthe Sam- the Samcheongcheong Hanok Hanok (Figure (Figure 10). 10 ).Nevertheless, Nevertheless, this this new new outer outer wall wall was alignedaligned withwith the the end end lineline of of the the previous previous eaves eaves as as the the available available street street side side space space was was very very limited. limited. This This situation situation cancan still still be be confirmed confirmed at at one one corner corner of of the the present present house house (Figure (Figure 11 11).). SuchSuch extension extension is is accompanied accompanied by by some some transformation transformation in in the the appearance appearance of of the the house,house, and and wewe cancan trace these these changes changes on on the the basis basis of ofthe the pre-renovation pre-renovation photographs photographs and anddrawings, drawings, as well as well as a as close a close observation observation of ofthe the present present wall. wall. Arguably, Arguably, the the outer outer wall wall of ofthe the extended extended side side was was a masonry a masonry structure structure of ofbrick brick (or (or cement cement block) block) as this as this was was the thetyp- typicalical method method in inGahoe-dong, Gahoe-dong, and and the the wall wall wa wass drawn drawn thick thick enough enough for forthe themasonry masonry wall wallin the in thepre-renovation pre-renovation plan. plan. (Otherwise, (Otherwise, it mi itght might have have been been a wood-frame a wood-frame structure structure with withthe wall the wall plastered plastered white, white, and andthe present the present wall wallwas wasa later a lateralteration.) alteration.) The architect The architect noted notedthat the that wall the wallwas wascovered covered with with brick-patterned brick-patterned tiles tiles [6],[ 6which], which lets lets us uspresume presume that that its itsinternal internal structure structure forms forms a load-bearing a load-bearing wall. wall. However, However, it is it not is not known known when when the thetiles tiles cov- coveredered the the wall—possibly, wall—possibly, not not certainly, certainly, at the at thetime time of the of extension. the extension. In any In case, any in case, the inre- theconstruction reconstruction plan planof this of stage this stage(Figure (Figure 12), the 12 ),outer the outerwall of wall the ofextended the extended side was side consid- was Sustainability 2021, 13, x 12 of 21 Sustainability Sustainability2021 2021, 13, 13, 9034, x 1212 of of 21 21

ered identical to that in the pre-renovation plan, and it is assumed that there was no crit- ered identical to that in the pre-renovation plan, and it is assumed that there was no crit- consideredical change identicalexcept the to enlarged that in the space. pre-renovation This plan plan,illustrates and itthat is assumed the original that plan there of was the ical change except the enlarged space. This plan illustrates that the original plan of the nonew critical construction change exceptstage extended the enlarged space space. toward This the plan north illustrates and west that sides—in the original the plan street- of new construction stage extended space toward the north and west sides—in the street- thefacing new directions. construction Specifically, stage extended the extension space toward was carried the north out and facing west the sides—in outside the from street- the facing directions. Specifically, the extension was carried out facing the outside from the facingline of directions.columns, and Specifically, the width theof the extension extended was space carried seems out to facingbe approximately the outside one from meter the line of columns, and the width of the extended space seems to be approximately one meter line(if relying of columns, on the and scale), the width resulting of the in extendedan increased space floor seems area to beof approximately approximately one25 m meter2. On (if relying on the scale), resulting in an increased floor area of approximately 252 m2. On (ifthe relying south onand the east scale), sides, resulting adjacent in to an other increased houses, floor there area was of approximatelyno room for extension. 25 m . On How- the souththe south and eastand sides,east sides, adjacent adjacent to other to other houses, houses, there there was nowas room no room for extension. for extension. However, How- ever, as aforementioned, there may have been no significant change in the basic structure asever, aforementioned, as aforementioned, there there may havemay have been been no significant no significant change change in the in basicthe basic structure structure of of the house at this stage; instead, relatively minor alterations were certainly made, such theof the house house at this at this stage; stage; instead, instead, relatively relative minorly minor alterations alterations were were certainly certainly made, made, such such as as improvements in building equipment and interior fittings. (Considering the context in improvementsas improvements in buildingin building equipment equipment and and interior interior fittings. fittings. (Considering (Considering the the context context in in Korea at the time, coal briquettes were possibly used in the agungi inside the kitchen for KoreaKorea atat the the time, time, coal coal briquettes briquettes were were possibly possibly used used in in the theagungi agungiinside inside the the kitchen kitchen for for cooking and heating. The toilet must also have been improved. However, it would not yet cookingcooking andand heating.heating. The toilet toilet must must also also have have been been improved. improved. However, However, it would it would not not yet have been a flush toilet even though the modern toilet was introduced in Korea in the yethave have been been a flush a flush toilet toilet even even though though the the modern modern toilet toilet was was introduced inin KoreaKorea inin the the 1950s.) 1950s.)1950s.)

FigureFigure 10.10. TypicalTypical methodmethod of of outer-wall outer-wall extension extension for for the theurban-type urban-type hanok hanok, Gahoe-dong, Gahoe-dong (Adapted (adapted Figure 10. Typical method of outer-wall extension for the urban-type hanok, Gahoe-dong (adapted withwith permissionpermission fromfrom ref.ref. [[12].12]. CopyrightCopyright 20112011 GomsiGomsi Publisher),Publisher), andand thethe casecase ofof thethe SamcheongSamcheong with permission from ref. [12]. Copyright 2011 Gomsi Publisher), and the case of the Samcheong HanokHanok (Drawn(drawn by the author). Hanok (drawn by the author).

Figure 11. One corner of the present Samcheong Hanok that shows the added eave to the extended Figure 11. One corner of the present Samcheong Hanok that shows the added eave to the extended Figurewall (Photograph 11. One corner by the of theauthor). present Samcheong Hanok that shows the added eave to the extended wallwall (Photograph (Photograph by by the the author). author). Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 13 of 21 Sustainability 2021, 13, x 13 of 21

FigureFigure 12. 12.Plausible Plausible ﬂoor floor plan plan of of the the Samcheong Samcheong Hanok Hanok after after extension, extension, probably probably carried carried out out in in the the earlyearly 1960s 1960s (Drawn (drawn by by the the author). author).

3.3.3.3. Repairs: Repairs: Modernization Modernization of of Building Building Equipment Equipment and and Interior Interior Design Design (1960s–90s) (1960s–90s) ForFor approximately approximately 40 40 years, years, between between the the extension extension and and renovation renovation in in 2000, 2000, the the Sam- Sam- cheongcheong Hanok Hanok undoubtedly undoubtedly underwent underwent diverse diverse external external and and internal internal changes. changes. Although Although detailsdetails of of these these changes changes are are unknown, unknown, the the key key alterations alterations certainly certainly involved involved modernization moderniza- oftion building of building equipment equipment and interior and interior design. des Asign. its As macroscopic its macroscopic background, background, we may we con- may siderconsider the spread the spread of modern of modern housing, housing, described described in Section in Section2, of which 2, of relativelywhich relatively anonymous anon- practiceymous was,practice in fact,was, led in byfact, various led by experimentsvarious experiments with residential with residential design by design progressive by pro- architects.gressive architects. In this period, In this Westernization period, Wester andnization modernization and modernization of housing of was housing accelerated was ac- withcelerated the rapid with economic the rapid growth economic inKorea. growth Microscopically, in Korea. Microscopically, we may refer we to may the contextrefer to ofthe neighboringcontext of neighboring houses in Gahoe-dong, houses in asGahoe-dong, aforementioned. as aforementioned. Field research conductedField research between con- 1985ducted and between 1986 reported 1985 and that 1986 building reported equipment that building and interior equipment design and of most interiorhanok designbuild- of ingsmost in hanok the area buildings had already in the been area modernizedhad already [been18]. Typically,modernized they [18]. were Typically, equipped they with were a modernequipped kitchen with a and modern flush toilet.kitchen It and is certain flush toil thatet. the It is Samcheong certain that Hanok the Samcheong simultaneously Hanok experiencedsimultaneously a similar experienced modernization a similar process. modernization process. TheThe Samcheong Samcheong Hanok Hanok of of this this stage stage can can be clearlybe clearly understood understood from from the pre-renovationthe pre-renova- drawingstion drawings and photographs and photographs and, in and, particular, in partic theular, floor the plan floor (Figure plan (Figure 13). Though 13). Though the floor the planfloor directly plan directly refers to refers the layout to the oflayout the house of the in house the late in the 1990s, late it 1990s, certainly it certainly illustrates illustrates one of the most typical layouts of the house for the past four decades. The most remarkable obser- one of the most typical layouts of the house for the past four decades. The most remarka- vation in this plan expectedly involved the kitchen and the toilet, though the installation of ble observation in this plan expectedly involved the kitchen and the toilet, though the an exterior gate on the entrance stairs, as well as the addition of a space (probably a storage installation of an exterior gate on the entrance stairs, as well as the addition of a space area) facing the exterior gate, is also conspicuous. This paper proposes that the kitchen (probably a storage area) facing the exterior gate, is also conspicuous. This paper proposes was relocated from the central space of the eastern wing to the neighboring room in the that the kitchen was relocated from the central space of the eastern wing to the neighbor- south for the following reasons. First, a wider room may have been required to combine ing room in the south for the following reasons. First, a wider room may have been re- the kitchen with a dining space and rationalize the spatial arrangement for housework. quired to combine the kitchen with a dining space and rationalize the spatial arrangement This is related to modern furnishings in the kitchen, including the sink, as the plan illus- for housework. This is related to modern furnishings in the kitchen, including the sink, as trates. Second, a modernized heating system may have obviated the need for the agungi the plan illustrates. Second, a modernized heating system may have obviated the need for in the kitchen, which was located between the two rooms (and also on a lower floor-level the agungi in the kitchen, which was located between the two rooms (and also on a lower than the ondol rooms) in preceding stages. Meanwhile, the toilet was also doubled in size Sustainability 2021, 13, x 14 of 21 Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 14 of 21

floor-level than the ondol rooms) in preceding stages. Meanwhile, the toilet was also dou- andbled equipped in size and with equipped modern with facilities modern such facilities as a flush such toilet as a flush and wash toilet basin; and wash thefloor basin; was the tiled,floor reflectingwas tiled, significantreflecting significant advances advances in terms ofin hygiene.terms of hygiene. The changes The changes in kitchens in kitch- and toiletsens and typically toilets typically reveal how reveal the urban-typehow the urban-type hanok responded hanok responded to modernization to modernization of the time. of Moreover,the time. otherMoreover, building other equipment building and equipment interior fittings,and interior such as fittings, windows/doors such as andwin- water/sewagedows/doors and systems, water/sewage must also systems, have been must modernized also have or been repaired. modernized While it isor likely repaired. that thereWhile was it is no likely critical that changethere was in theno critical other spatial change organization in the other spatial and the organization building structure and the as a whole, the spatial or structural details, and the interior design may have varied with building structure as a whole, the spatial or structural details, and the interior design may owners’ preferences. have varied with owners’ preferences.

FigureFigure 13.13.Floor Floor planplan ofof thethe SamcheongSamcheong HanokHanok beforebefore renovationrenovation inin2000 2000(Courtesy (Courtesy ofofOne OneO O One One Architects).Architects).

3.4.3.4. Renovation:Renovation: TransformationTransformation intointo ContemporaryContemporary Hanok Hanok (2000) (2000) TheThe SamcheongSamcheong Hanok,Hanok, whichwhich hadhad graduallygradually evolvedevolved sincesince itit waswas firstfirst constructed constructed aroundaround 1940, experienced experienced the the most most critical critical change change during during the renovation the renovation in 2000 in(Figures 2000 (14–17).Figures Considering14–17). Considering that architect that architectWook Choi Wook had Choi already had renovated already renovated one urban-type one urban- hanok typefor use hanok as forhis useown as office his own (2000) office in the (2000) same in Samcheong-dong the same Samcheong-dong area right before area right this beforeproject this[18] project (pp. 306–315) [18] (pp. [19], 306–315) it is indubitable [19], it is indubitable that he was that very he familiar was very with familiar the local with context the local at contextthat time at thatand timeready and to readyexperiment to experiment with new with possibilities new possibilities of the urban-type of the urban-type hanok. As hanok one. Asof the one most of the distinguished most distinguished Korean Korean architects architects in his generation, in his generation, Choi has Choi carried has carriedout diverse out diversekinds of kinds projects of projects for the last for thetwo last decades. two decades. In his early In his career, early however, career, however, the hanok the renova-hanok renovationtion was a wasvery a important very important category category of works of works to him. to him. The Thedefining defining characteristic characteristic of his of hishanokhanok renovationrenovation was was a bold a bold addition addition of modern of modern elements elements to traditional to traditional ones, ones, often often chal- challenginglenging the tradition: the tradition: “When “When repairing repairing a hanok a ,hanok … I boldly, ... I removed boldly removed [existing [existing elements] ele- or ments]made [new or made elements]. [new elements]. However, However, I tried to I triedemphasize to emphasize aesthetic aesthetic elements elements typically typically found foundin the inhanok the hanokspace”space” [18] (p. [18 607).] (p. This 607). attitude This attitude was well was illustrated well illustrated in the in work the work for Sam- for Samcheongcheong Hanok. Hanok. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 15 of 21 Sustainability 2021, 13, x 15 of 21

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FigureFigure 14.14.Unique Unique exteriorexterior claddingcladding ofof thethe SamcheongSamcheong HanokHanok withwith repeatedrepeated horizontalhorizontal lineslines (Photo-(Pho- Figure 14. Unique exterior cladding of the Samcheong Hanok with repeated horizontal lines (Pho- graphtograph by by the the author). author). tograph by the author).

Figure 15. Maru-like wooden deck on the madang of the Samcheong Hanok (Courtesy of One O One FigureFigureArchitects) 15.15. MaruMaru -like-like woodenwooden deck on the madang of the the Samcheong Samcheong Hanok Hanok (Courtesy (Courtesy of of One One O O One One Architects).Architects) Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 16 of 21 Sustainability 2021,, 1313,, xx 16 16of 21of 21

FigureFigure 16.16. InteriorInterior viewview ofof thethe Samcheong Hanok (Courtesy (Courtesy of of One One O O One One Architects). Architects). Figure 16. Interior view of the Samcheong Hanok (Courtesy of One O One Architects).

Figure 17. Floor plan of the Samcheong Hanok after renovation in 2000 (Courtesy of One O One Architects). FigureFigure 17. 17.Floor Floor plan plan of of the the Samcheong Samcheong Hanok Hanok after after renovation renovation in in 2000 2000 (Courtesy (Courtesy of of One One O O One One Architects). Architects).The renovated Samcheong Hanok is replete with unconventional features as compared to other contemporary hanok and previous urban-type hanok buildings, starting with TheThe renovated renovated Samcheong Samcheong Hanok Hanok is replete is replete with with unconventional unconventional features features as compared as com- its appearance. The repeating pattern of thin and rectangular timbers, which clothe the topared other tocontemporary other contemporary hanok andhanok previous and previousurban-type urban-type hanok hanokbuildings, buildings, starting starting with with its existing outer wall, form a unique surface with horizontal lines, which continues on the appearance.its appearance. The The repeating repeating pattern pattern of of thin thin and and rectangular rectangular timbers, timbers, which which clothe clothe the the existing outer wall, form a unique surface with horizontal lines, which continues on the Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 17 of 21 Sustainability 2021, 13, x 17 of 21

existing outer wall, form a unique surface with horizontal lines, which continues on the exteriorexterior gate gate (main (main gate). gate). The The windows windows on on th thee wall wall were were also also not not traditional. traditional. Without Without the traditionaltraditional roof, roof, there there would would be be no no reason reason for for this this house house to to be be considered considered a hanok fromfrom its externalexternal appearance. appearance. Similarly, Similarly, changes inside the outer wall were as drastic. The middle gategate that that used used to to be be situated on the left after passing the main gate was lost. It signifies signifies a disintegrationdisintegration of of munganchaemunganchae andand an an expansion expansion of of madangmadang.. Moreover, Moreover, the the total total floor floor area area increasedincreased as as the the empty empty space space between between the the two two rooms rooms on the west side was incorporated intointo the the indoor indoor space. space. As As verified verified in in the the floor floor plan plan (Figure (Figure 17),17), the the “「」 “ py-shape”-shape” or “open ㅁ-shape”-shape” of of the the plan, plan, which which had had been been maintained maintained since since it it was was first first built, shows a subtle variation.variation. In In this this process, process, th thee living room—equivalent to to the daecheong in the traditional hanokhanok—was—was extended extended westwards westwards up up to to the the same same width width as as the madang,, and and rooms rooms on on the oppositeopposite sides sides of of the the living living room room came to fa facece each other. The ar arrangementrangement of rooms was alsoalso changed; for example, the kitchen/diningkitchen/dining room room was was now now relocated relocated at at the northern corner,corner, and a a second second toilet toilet (now (now a a proper proper bathroom) bathroom) was was added added to to the the room room near near the the gate. gate. Within these changes, however, the existing wooden structure was maintained as far as possible.possible. The The living living room room showcased showcased the the beau beautyty of tradition through four independent squaresquare columns columns and, and, in in particular, particular, the wooden frame of the roof that reveals the original compositioncomposition of of the the girder, girder, beam, and rafter. Arguably,Arguably, the most remarkable attempt in this renovation was the creation of a type ofof wooden wooden deck deck on on the madang.. This This wooden wooden deck deck is is reminiscent reminiscent of of the the maru,, where the floorfloor pattern pattern was was intended intended to to be be same same as as that that of of the the living living room, hinting at the traditional daecheongdaecheong oror daecheong-marudaecheong-maru.. Its Its installation installation reduced reduced the the gap gap in in height height between between the the living roomroom and and the the madangmadang byby raising raising the the level level of of the the latter latter and and facilitated facilitated the the floor floor material material (red (red pine)pine) and and pattern to continue between the living room and madang. Indeed, Indeed, the the madang is notnot only an exteriorexterior space,space, openopen to to the the sky, sky, but but also also an an interior interior space space as anas extensionan extension of the of theliving living room. room. This This kind kind of continuity of continuity was further was further enhanced enhanced by the whole-glassby the whole-glass wall installed wall between the two spaces, eliminating the visual boundary between the inside and outside. installed between the two spaces, eliminating the visual boundary between the inside and Meanwhile, two challenges to tradition can be noted here. The first is the white-colored outside. Meanwhile, two challenges to tradition can be noted here. The first is the white- northern wall inside the living room, where the white plane continues to the ceiling just colored northern wall inside the living room, where the white plane continues to the ceil- above it. Though possibly reminiscent of a white-papered room in a traditional house, it is ing just above it. Though possibly reminiscent of a white-papered room in a traditional highly reminiscent of the vocabulary of Western modernism characterized by white and house, it is highly reminiscent of the vocabulary of Western modernism characterized by planar surfaces. The horizontally long clerestory window in-between the living room wall white and planar surfaces. The horizontally long clerestory window in-between the living and ceiling also assumes the typical image of modern architecture. The other challenge room wall and ceiling also assumes the typical image of modern architecture. The other is the unfamiliar pattern on the sliding doors, which critically differs from the traditional challenge is the unfamiliar pattern on the sliding doors, which critically differs from the Korean style. In fact, it even embodies a certain Japanese nuance due to its simplicity and traditional Korean style. In fact, it even embodies a certain Japanese nuance due to its repeated pattern of horizonal lines. Although such impression might not be universal, the simplicitypossible Japanese and repeated implication pattern is stillof horizonal a sensitive lines. issue Although in Korean such architecture—particularly impression might not bein buildingsuniversal, directlythe possible related Japanese to tradition, implication such as is this still house. a sensitive However, issue architect in Korean Wook architec- Choi, ture—particularlywho was more sensitive in buildings to modern directly function related and to aesthetic, tradition, kept such a distance as this house. from such However, issues. architectIn short, Wook this Choi, renovation who was stage, more in whichsensitive the to architect modern boldly function transformed and aesthetic, an urban-type kept a distancehanok into from a contemporary such issues. hanok, is surely the most salient stage in the Samcheong Hanok history.In short, this renovation stage, in which the architect boldly transformed an urban- type hanok into a contemporary hanok, is surely the most salient stage in the Samcheong Hanok4. Meaning history. of the Samcheong Hanok History As discussed, there have been a series of changes in the Samcheong Hanok history, 4.whether Meaning major of the or minor,Samcheong ranging Hanok from History the stage of new construction around 1940 to the stageAs of discussed, renovation there in 2000, have via been the in-betweena series of changes stages of in extension the Samcheong and repairs. Hanok Tracing history, the whetherhistory, thismajor study or minor, reconstructed ranging thefrom floor the plansstage ofof thenew house construction in the first around two stages, 1940 to with the stagerelation of renovation to the architect’s in 2000, floor via plans the in-betw in the lasteen twostages stages. of extension If we juxtapose and repairs. and compare Tracing thethem history, (Figure this 18), study we could reconstructed more easily the understand floor plans how of thethe house house has in transformedthe first two through stages, withthe stages relation over to time. the architect’s The extension floor of plans space in is the conspicuous last two stages. in the secondIf we juxtapose stage (early and 1960s), com- pareand thethem modernization (Figure 18), we of kitchencould more and toileteasily inunderstand the third stage how (1960s–1990s),the house has althoughtransformed the throughmost dramatic the stages change over is recognizabletime. The extension in the plan of space of the is renovation conspicuous stage in (2000).the second If so, stage what (earlydoes the 1960s), history and of the the modernization Samcheong Hanok of kitchen tell us and explicitly toilet in or the implicitly? third stage (1960s–1990s), although the most dramatic change is recognizable in the plan of the renovation stage (2000). If so, what does the history of the Samcheong Hanok tell us explicitly or implicitly? Sustainability 2021, 13, x 18 of 21

Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 although the most dramatic change is recognizable in the plan of the renovation18 stage of 21 (2000). If so, what does the history of the Samcheong Hanok tell us explicitly or implicitly?

FigureSustainability 18. Four 2021 stages, 13, x of the Samcheong Hanok evolution: (a) New Construction (around 1940); (b) Extension (early 1960s); 17 of 21 Figure 18. Four stages of the Samcheong Hanok evolution: (a) New Construction (around 1940); (b) Extension (early c d (1960s);) Repairs (c) Repairs (1960s–1990s); (1960s–1990s); ( ) Renovation (d) Renovation (2000). (2000).

4.1. Representing exterior gate the (main History gate). of Modern The windows Hanok on the wall were also not traditional. Without the Whattraditional is explicit roof, is there the fact would thatthat be thethe no historyhi reasonstory ofoffor thethe this SamcheongSamcheong house to be HanokHanok considered representsrepresents a hanok thethe from its historyexternal of modern appearance. hanok.. Summing Similarly, up, changes the Samcheong inside the HanokHanok outer waswaswall builtbuilt were onon as aa drastic. sub-dividedsub-divided The middle housinggate lot that in Bukchon, used to be Seoul situated around on 1940the left as oneafter of passing the urban-type the main hanok gate buildings, was lost. whichIt signifies a were mass-produceddisintegration of approximately munganchae and between an expansion 19301930 and of 1960. madang Accordingly,. Moreover, thisthis the househouse total hadhadfloor area all theincreased characteristics as the of empty the urban-type space between hanok theas describeddescribed two rooms in on SectionSectio the nwest2 2.. InIn side particular,particular, was incorporated thethe 「」 standardizationinto the indoor of plan space. and As compactness verified in ofthe space floor wereplan (Figure most obvious 17), the as “ typiﬁedtypified-shape” inin thethe or “open “open ㅁ-shape”-shaped” of planthe plan, with which the courtyard had beenmadang maintained. Moving since onit was to the first early built, 1960s, shows the a subtle “open ㅁ-shaped” plan with the courtyard madang. Moving on to the early 1960s, the Sam- Samcheongvariation. Hanok In this extended process, to th enlargee living space room—equivalent just as the neighboring to the daecheongurban-type in the hanok traditional buildingscheonghanok Hanok were—was extended remodeled extended to for enlargewestwards extension. space up Injust to the theas meanwhile, thesame neighboring width its as building the urban-type madang equipment , hanokand rooms build- and on the interiorings wereopposite design remodeled mustsides have offor the extension. been living updated room In the severalcame meanwhile, to times face each as its seen building other. in the The equipment pre-renovation arrangement and plan. interiorof rooms In was design must have been updated several times as seen in the pre-renovation plan. In this this plan,also the changed; kitchen for and example, the toilet the were kitchen/dini enlarged andng refurbished,room was now and relocated this refurbishment at the northern matchesplan, thecorner, thekitchen general and anda second trends the toilet toilet in the were(nowurban-type enlargeda proper hanok bathroom)andof refurbished, the time. was added Finally, and tothis the the refurbishment renovation room near inthe gate. 2000matches transformedWithin the general these the changes, trends Samcheong in however, the urban-type Hanok the fromexisting hanok a modest ofwooden the time.urban-type structure Finally, hanok was the maintainedintorenovation a unique asin far as contemporary2000 transformedpossible. hanok The .the This living Samcheong stage room can showcased also Hanok be integrated from the abeau modest intoty theof urban-type tradition history of throughhanok the urban-type into four a uniqueindependent hanok, althoughcontemporarysquare not allhanokcolumnsurban-type. This and, stage hanok in particular, canbuildings also bethe experience integrated wooden suchframe into a the radicalof the history roof transformation. thatof the reveals urban-type Thus,the original hanok, although not all urban-type hanok buildings experience such a radical transfor- the overallcomposition history ofof modernthe girder,hanok beam,in the and past rafter. century was manifested through the series ofmation. changes Thus,Arguably, in this the single overall the building. most history remarkable of modern attempt hanok in in this the renovation past century was was the manifestedcreation of a type throughInof addition, thewooden series itdeck of is changes also on explicitthe inmadang this that single. This the Samcheong building.wooden deck Hanok, is reminiscent renovated of in the 2000, maru can, where be the positionedInfloor addition, atpattern the it starting wasis also intended pointexplicit in to that the be historysamethe Samcheong as of that the ofcontemporary the Hanok, living renovated room, hanok hinting. Of in course, 2000, at the can there traditional be havepositioned beendaecheong manyat the or hanokstarting daecheong-maruprojects point undertakenin. theIts installationhistory by of reputed the reduced contemporary architects the gap hanokbefore in height. Of the course,between Samcheong there the living have been many hanok projects undertaken by reputed architects before the Samcheong Hanokroom was rebornand the at madang that time. by raising For example, the level Neungsohun of the latter (1991) and facilitated and Chungsongjae the floor material (1997), (red originallyHanokpine) was built andreborn in pattern 1930s at that asto typicalcontinue time. urban-typeFor between example, hanok the Neungsohunlivingbuildings room in and Bukchon(1991) madang and (Gye-dong),. Indeed,Chungsongjae the were madang is renovated(1997),not originally only by Young-Sub an builtexterior in Kim 1930sspace, in 1990sas open typical [ 20to] the (pp.urban-type sky, 22–33). but hanok Thoughalso an buildings interior their renewal spacein Bukchon wasas an notable, extension(Gye- of however,dong),the were itliving isrenovated arguable room. by thatThis Young-Sub therekind wasof continuity Kim no fundamental in 199 was0s [20] further infringement(pp. 22–33).enhanced Though of by tradition the their whole-glass renewal in these wall works. Likewise, most hanok projects prior to 2000 rarely attempted to challenge or break was notable,installed however, between it theis arguable two spaces, that eliminating there was no the fundamental visual boundary infringement between ofthe tradi- inside and (nottion justin these to mildly works. modify) Likewise, the basicmost normhanok ofprojects the traditional prior to 2000hanok rarelyin terms attempted of the essential to chal- outside. Meanwhile, two challenges to tradition can be noted here. The first is the white- structure and form, even though they necessarily updated building equipment and interior lenge orcolored break northern(not just wallto mildly inside modify) the living the roombasic, normwhere of the the white traditional plane continueshanok in terms to the ceil- design to accommodate modern life. Conversely, in the Samcheong Hanok, we can note of the essentialing just above structure it. Though and form, possibly even th reminiscentough they necessarily of a white-papered updated buildingroom in equip-a traditional diversement and attempts interior to design intentionally to accommodate deviate from modern the traditional life. Conversely, norm, whether in the theySamcheong are the house, it is highly reminiscent of the vocabulary of Western modernism characterized by addition of modern cladding to the outer wall or the installation of the maru-like wooden Hanok,white we can and note planar diverse surfaces. attempts The horizontally to intentionally long deviate clerestory from window the traditional in-between norm, the living deckwhether on thetheymadang are the. Therefore, addition of discussions modern claddi aboutng the tocontemporary the outer wall hanok or shouldthe installation begin with of room wall and ceiling also assumes the typical image of modern architecture. The other the Samcheong Hanok. Moreover, we need to notice the phenomenon of hanok revival the maruchallenge-like wooden is the deckunfamiliar on the pattern madang on. Therefore, the sliding discussions doors, which about critically the contemporary differs from the since 2000, along with the emergence of architects who reinterpret the traditional building hanok shouldtraditional begin Korean with the style. Samcheong In fact, itHanok. even embodiesMoreover, a we certain need toJapanese notice the nuance phenom- due to its typeenon fromof hanok a new revival perspective. since 2000, If the along “hanok withreturned,” the emer asgence one declaredof architects [21], who the Samcheong reinterpret Hanoksimplicity was undoubtedly and repeated in the pattern lead. of horizonal lines. Although such impression might not be universal, the possible Japanese implication is still a sensitive issue in Korean architecture—particularly in buildings directly related to tradition, such as this house. However, architect Wook Choi, who was more sensitive to modern function and aesthetic, kept a distance from such issues. In short, this renovation stage, in which the architect boldly transformed an urban- type hanok into a contemporary hanok, is surely the most salient stage in the Samcheong Hanok history.

4.2. Irony in the Hanok Support System On the other hand, this study claims that the Samcheong Hanok history, specifically the timing of its rebirth as the contemporary hanok, signifies something implicitly. That is a certain irony in the hanok support system or the set of all the guidelines and regulations for promoting hanok buildings. In other words, the Samcheong Hanok reveals the paradox that various guidelines and regulations introduced to promote hanok buildings failed to serve as the system for the evolution of the hanok. We may regard that the hanok support system was initiated from the “Hanok Registration System” and “Plan of Bukchon Gardening” in 2001, a year after the renovation project of the Samcheong Hanok. (Though there had already been various regulations for hanok preservation in Bukchon, the hanok regulations from the early 2000 became more supportive to residents or owners of hanok in terms of administration and finance while they became as much restrictive as supportive.) Subsequently, it has led to the “Seoul Hanok Support Ordinance” and the “Jeonju Hanok Support Ordinance” in 2002, the “Bukchon District Unit Plan (Type I)” in 2010, and the “Act on Value Enhancement of Hanok and Other Architectural Assets” in 2015. (Besides these, many local governments have their own hanok ordinances, which are now supported by the “Act on Value Enhancement of Hanok and Other Architectural Assets”). We can understand here that the initial set of guidelines to preserve the hanok buildings in a local area had gradually developed and was finally legislated as a national law to support their preservation and new construction in terms of finance and administration. However, various conditions in the guidelines and legal clauses sometimes act as excessive restrictions. In particular, the “Bukchon District Unit Plan (Type I): Enforcement Guidelines” includes excessive and detailed regulations concerning the formal aspects of the hanok—for example, the finishing materials of exterior, the patterns of windows/doors, and various types of decorations, as well as the length of the eaves and the allowable examples of roof-tiles (Sections 1 and 4, Article 26; Sections 1, 2 and 4, Article 28). Due to these restrictions, architects’ discretion over hanok design in Bukchon became extremely limited, and similar restrictions were observed in the local governments’ hanok ordinances and the national law “Act on Value Enhancement of Hanok and Other Architectural Assets”. From this perspective, it was fortunate that renovation of the Samcheong Hanok was conducted prior to the restrictive guidelines, especially those in the “Bukchon District Unit Plan (Type I)”. For this reason, Wook Choi was able to make radical and challenging attempts in the project, paving the way for evolution of the hanok. Perhaps the renovated Samcheong Hanok has many design elements that would have still been possible even if those hanok guidelines and regulations had been introduced before 2000. However, most experimental attempts described in the previous section seemed to be hardly feasible under the currently established hanok support system. For example, it might have been impossible for the outer wall of the house to be clad in the unique timber-screen because the elevations of hanok that face streets shall adequately express the composition of the wooden structure according to the guidelines in “Bukchon District Unit Plan (Type I)” (Section 1, Article 28). It is likely that more drastic actions, such as the removal of the tiles (if considered “glossy”) that were attached to the outer wall before the renovation, may have been taken to emphasize its traditional appearance if the guidelines had been provided (Sections 3 and 6, Article 28)—not to mention the apparent disapproval of the installation of the unfamiliar cladding in the wall. Moreover, it might have been impossible to install non-traditional style windows in the western wall and the northern wall because the guidelines only allow traditional window patterns—for example, the ddichangsal, yongjachang, wanjachang, jeongjachang, and sutdaesal (Section 4, Article 28). Last but not least, the wooden deck in the madang must have been controversial because the guidelines regulate the attachment of structures to the madang: “any structure to be built in the madang is recommended to keep a certain distance from the hanok in an appropriate manner” (Section 1, Article 34). Though not an enforced, but recommended, regulation, different from the other regulations mentioned so far, this would have suppressed the novel idea and prevented the architect from further experimenting with the design. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 20 of 21

Bukchon is a very special area where numerous hanok buildings exist, and therefore, a sort of traditional scenery must be retained. Nevertheless, this paper maintains that the Bukchon guidelines, and eventually, all the hanok-related regulations in Korea, are too rigid and thus prevent the evolution of hanok. From this perspective, Doo-jin Hwang’s assertion— at “The 1st AURI (Architecture & Urban Research Institute) Discussion about the ‘Hanok Architectural Style,’” held in Seoul on 22 November 2019—that Bukchon is “a graveyard of hanok creativity” is understandable. Though various experimental hanok projects have been undertaken for the last two decades—in legal interstices where the regulations fail to cover—as discussed in Section2, it can be argued that a creative evolution of hanok is being considerably prevented by the present regulations. The hanok is not only a heritage from the past, but it should also represent current and future architecture. Therefore, we must have a more ﬂexible concept of the present and future hanok design. In this way, the timing of the Samcheong Hanok renovation awakens the irony implied in the hanok support system.

5. Conclusion: Towards a Creative Evolution of Hanok This study demonstrated that the Samcheong Hanok is a meaningful case in the history of modern hanok from the early 20th century onwards. In conclusion, we can note several points for a creative evolution of hanok from this study. First, active responses to the demands of time are always signiﬁcant. The urban-type hanok and the contemporary hanok are the results of the responses observed in the Samcheong Hanok history. Likewise, to actively respond to the demands of time, it is necessary for continual evolution of the hanok towards the future. Second, the renovation of pre-existing hanok buildings plays an effective role in leveraging the evolution of hanok. In contrast to the new construction of the traditional-type buildings, of which revival is often controversial [14], the renovation of old hanok buildings is required to adapt them to contemporary lifestyle and reuse the existing resources. Thus, the renovation implies the natural encounter between the old and the new, and their heterogeneous conjunction, often with experimental designs, stimulates the evolution of hanok. Arguably, one possible way of its creative evolution was hinted at in the renovation work of the Samcheong Hanok. Third, it is creative architects that generate the most important momentum for the evolution of hanok. If renovation of the Samcheong Hanok hinted at one way of hanok evolution, its main promoter was undoubtedly the architect as a creative designer. We must highly regard the challenging attitudes of architects who do not hesitate to trigger changes in convention even though the role of anonymous players, such as builders and clients, should also not be ignored. Fourth, a creative evolution of the hanok support system is required for the creative evolution of hanok itself. As argued in the previous section, the current hanok support system often limits creative designs of the hanok. A more ﬂexible system for the future of the hanok is needed. While the hanok support system has focused on the preservation of traditional aspects of the hanok from a conservative perspective, it is time to evaluate the diversity and modernity of the hanok for its creative evolution.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, Y.-H.L. and H.-S.K.; methodology, H.-S.K.; validation, H.- S.K.; formal analysis, Y.-H.L. and H.-S.K.; investigation, Y.-H.L.; resources, Y.-H.L.; writing—original draft preparation, Y.-H.L.; writing—review and editing, H.-S.K.; visualization, Y.-H.L.; supervision, H.-S.K.; project administration, Y.-H.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Funding: This research received no external funding. Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable. Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable. Data Availability Statement: No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article. Conﬂicts of Interest: The authors declare no conﬂict of interest. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9034 21 of 21

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