Traditional Korean hanok homes are inspiring a new generation of architects in South Korea. From subtle stylistic nods to wildly modern interpretations, hanok principles underpin the emergence of a distinctly Korean form of contemporary architecture.
Ga On Jai (2013) by IROJE KHM Architects —
Traditional Korean hanok homes are inspiring a new generation of architects in South Korea. From subtle stylistic nods to wildly modern interpretations, hanok principles underpin the emergence of a distinctly Korean form of contemporary architecture.
IROJE KHM Architects -- Korea, Photography by Jong Oh Kim
The owners of this home in Gyeonggi Province wanted security and privacy while maintaining their access to nature. To achieve this, the architects used a traditional cantilevered Korean roof and a modern interpretation of a "madang" or inner court.
Ga On Jai (2013) by IROJE KHM Architects —
The owners of this home in Gyeonggi Province wanted security and privacy while maintaining their access to nature. To achieve this, the architects used a traditional cantilevered Korean roof and a modern interpretation of a "madang" or inner court.
IROJE KHM Architects -- Korea, Photography by Sergio Pirrone
Once common throughout Korea, hanoks are single-story courtyard homes made from natural materials like brick and stone. These historic houses maintain a close relationship with the surrounding environment through the use of doors, windows and traditional pavilions known as "jungja."
Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul —
Once common throughout Korea, hanoks are single-story courtyard homes made from natural materials like brick and stone. These historic houses maintain a close relationship with the surrounding environment through the use of doors, windows and traditional pavilions known as "jungja."
Getty Images/Multi-bits
Hanoks' pagoda-style roofs, eaves and intricate woodwork are becoming harder to find in South Korea. Traditional buildings that remain are under threat from rising property prices and Korea's ongoing modernization. In Seoul, original hanoks are concentrated in Buckchon, a so-called "hanok village".
David Kilburn's original hanok home, Kahoidong, Seoul —
Hanoks' pagoda-style roofs, eaves and intricate woodwork are becoming harder to find in South Korea. Traditional buildings that remain are under threat from rising property prices and Korea's ongoing modernization. In Seoul, original hanoks are concentrated in Buckchon, a so-called "hanok village".
David Kilburn
This photo of Seoul's last hanok-only street was taken by David Kilburn, a British expatriate and hanok expert who campaigns for their preservation. "A city the size of Seoul, with the wealth of Seoul, should find it within its resources to protect and preserve at least one street of traditional houses to show how people lived and worked a hundred or more years ago," he says.
Street of Kahoidong, Seoul —
This photo of Seoul's last hanok-only street was taken by David Kilburn, a British expatriate and hanok expert who campaigns for their preservation. "A city the size of Seoul, with the wealth of Seoul, should find it within its resources to protect and preserve at least one street of traditional houses to show how people lived and worked a hundred or more years ago," he says.
David Kilburn
Although hanoks are under threat, South Koreans are increasingly appreciative of historic designs. "There is a renewed interest in applying lessons from traditional architecture to modern and contemporary buildings in Korea," says the well-known Seoul architect <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.djharch.com%2F09%2Fhome%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Doojin Hwang</a>.
Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater (2011) by G.S. Architects & Associates —
Although hanoks are under threat, South Koreans are increasingly appreciative of historic designs. "There is a renewed interest in applying lessons from traditional architecture to modern and contemporary buildings in Korea," says the well-known Seoul architect Doojin Hwang.
Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater/G.S. Architects & Associates
Seoul-based architect Moon Hoon uses fundamental hanok principles -- like courtyards, pavilions and a respect for the surrounding landscape -- to modern effect.
Rock it Suda by Moon Hoon —
Seoul-based architect Moon Hoon uses fundamental hanok principles -- like courtyards, pavilions and a respect for the surrounding landscape -- to modern effect.
Moon Hoon
"In the case of [unconventional guesthouse] Rock it Suda, we can talk about traditional 'jungja' -- a pavilion," says the building's creator, Moon Hoon. "It has a modern jungja with a great view, situated on a great site with unobstructed views." The project was built on the edge of a hill in Gangwon, South Korea's northernmost province.
Rock it Suda by Moon Hoon —
"In the case of [unconventional guesthouse] Rock it Suda, we can talk about traditional 'jungja' -- a pavilion," says the building's creator, Moon Hoon. "It has a modern jungja with a great view, situated on a great site with unobstructed views." The project was built on the edge of a hill in Gangwon, South Korea's northernmost province.
Architect Moon Hoon, Photo by Seung hoon Yeum
"I take a lot of the vocabulary of hanoks and incorporate it into my design," says architect Moon Hoon. "[That includes design] elements like overhanging strips of wood, balconies, courtyards and walls."
Rock it Suda by Moon Hoon —
"I take a lot of the vocabulary of hanoks and incorporate it into my design," says architect Moon Hoon. "[That includes design] elements like overhanging strips of wood, balconies, courtyards and walls."
Moon Hoon
"I think hanok [design] has been an inspiration for architects all along, but recently this has [reached] the general public. They have become appreciative of our heritage," says Hoon.
Rock it Suda by Moon Hoon —
"I think hanok [design] has been an inspiration for architects all along, but recently this has [reached] the general public. They have become appreciative of our heritage," says Hoon.
Architect Moon Hoon, Photo by Seung hoon Yeum
The high-end boutique hotel, Ragung, in Gyeongju is the first modern hanok hotel in South Korea. Its design adopts a traditional hanok layout, emphasizing structural beauty and spaciousness.
Hanok-hotel Ragung (2007) by Gugaua Architects —
The high-end boutique hotel, Ragung, in Gyeongju is the first modern hanok hotel in South Korea. Its design adopts a traditional hanok layout, emphasizing structural beauty and spaciousness.
Young-chae Park
Based on the design of a traditional Korean palace, the hotel features an artificial pond at the front, with a colonnade and spacious courtyard found at the building's rear.
Hanok-hotel Ragung (2007) by Gugaua Architects —
Based on the design of a traditional Korean palace, the hotel features an artificial pond at the front, with a colonnade and spacious courtyard found at the building's rear.
Young-chae Park
To help maintain the building's relationship with nature, each room overlooks the serene landscape that surrounds the hotel. The private inner courtyard houses a spa.
Hanok-hotel Ragung (2007) by Gugaua Architects —
To help maintain the building's relationship with nature, each room overlooks the serene landscape that surrounds the hotel. The private inner courtyard houses a spa.
Young-chae Park
Private courtyards, one of the main characteristics of hanoks, feature prominently in the hotel.
Hanok-hotel Ragung (2007) by Gugaua Architects —
Private courtyards, one of the main characteristics of hanoks, feature prominently in the hotel.
Young-chae Park
"S-Mahal House has many courtyards of differing sizes, while balconies allow for seating under the roof canopy," Moon says.
S-Mahal by Moon Hoon —
"S-Mahal House has many courtyards of differing sizes, while balconies allow for seating under the roof canopy," Moon says.
Park Chan Woo
Although wildly contemporary, Wind House on Jeju Island draws on many elements of hanok design, from the materials to the layout.
Wind House by Moon Hoon —
Although wildly contemporary, Wind House on Jeju Island draws on many elements of hanok design, from the materials to the layout.
Sun Nam-goong
"Many architects in Korea think that I am an alien, and it tends to only be people from overseas who see the relationship with traditional Korean architecture. So that's really a paradox," says Hoon.
Wind House by Moon Hoon —
"Many architects in Korea think that I am an alien, and it tends to only be people from overseas who see the relationship with traditional Korean architecture. So that's really a paradox," says Hoon.
Goong Sun Nam
"K-Pop Curve [a building designed for a Korean music agency] has a large balcony interacting with the public domain. It's like the hanok's relationship with the courtyard, but in this case it's with the public streets," says Hoon.
K-Pop Curve by Moon Hoon —
"K-Pop Curve [a building designed for a Korean music agency] has a large balcony interacting with the public domain. It's like the hanok's relationship with the courtyard, but in this case it's with the public streets," says Hoon.
Moon Hoon
Gugaua Architects has also been heavily influenced by traditional designs. The firm designed this hanok-style library in Seoul to help raise cultural awareness in the capital.
Geulmaru Childern's Library (2010) by Gugaua Architects —
Gugaua Architects has also been heavily influenced by traditional designs. The firm designed this hanok-style library in Seoul to help raise cultural awareness in the capital.
Gugaua architects
The library's design takes account of its neighborhood, Guro, which may soon become an educational and cultural hub in Seoul.
Geulmaru Childern's Library (2010) by Guga Urban Architecture —
The library's design takes account of its neighborhood, Guro, which may soon become an educational and cultural hub in Seoul.
Gugaua architects
The architects ensured that the library's rooms offer the spaciousness that hanok design is known for.
Geulmaru Childern's Library (2010) by Gugaua Architects —
The architects ensured that the library's rooms offer the spaciousness that hanok design is known for.
Gugaua architects
Gugaua Architects relocated an old hanok and turned it into an arboretum. The gate, which is not completely open, allows visitors to glimpse inside.<br />
Chollipo Arboretum Visitor Center (2014) by Gugaua Architects —
Gugaua Architects relocated an old hanok and turned it into an arboretum. The gate, which is not completely open, allows visitors to glimpse inside.
Joon-hwan Yoon
While the arboretum is built in a distinctly Korean style, it was founded by former American naval officer Carl Ferris Miller. After coming to Korea in 1945, Miller started planting trees on the barren hills around his village. They eventually grew into the arboretum found here today.
Chollipo Arboretum Visitor Center (2014) by Gugaua Architects —
While the arboretum is built in a distinctly Korean style, it was founded by former American naval officer Carl Ferris Miller. After coming to Korea in 1945, Miller started planting trees on the barren hills around his village. They eventually grew into the arboretum found here today.
Joon-hwan Yoon
With its low ceiling, the building stays close to the ground and its surrounding landscape. The wooden columns and roof lines were inspired by hanok design.
Chollipo Arboretum Visitor Center (2014) by Gugaua Architects —
With its low ceiling, the building stays close to the ground and its surrounding landscape. The wooden columns and roof lines were inspired by hanok design.
Joon-hwan Yoon
Seoul-based architecture firm Studio GOAN designed this house as a retirement home for an older couple. Although exceptionally modern, the house features carved wood, a traditional raised "maru" deck and a thoughtful relationship with the surrounding countryside.
House in Geochang (2013) by studio_GAON —
Seoul-based architecture firm Studio GOAN designed this house as a retirement home for an older couple. Although exceptionally modern, the house features carved wood, a traditional raised "maru" deck and a thoughtful relationship with the surrounding countryside.
studio_GAON, Photography by Youngchae Park
Found on the South Korean island of Jeju, this concrete and volcanic-stone house was built on a citrus farm. It has a bowed roof that nods to the island's traditional housing, while maintaining an interconnected relationship with the outside. "A house in Korea needs to respond to the changing weather," says architect Doojin Hwang. "The interior becomes the exterior and vice versa."
Residence in Bomuk, Jeju (2014) by Doojin Hwang Architects —
Found on the South Korean island of Jeju, this concrete and volcanic-stone house was built on a citrus farm. It has a bowed roof that nods to the island's traditional housing, while maintaining an interconnected relationship with the outside. "A house in Korea needs to respond to the changing weather," says architect Doojin Hwang. "The interior becomes the exterior and vice versa."
Doojin Hwang Architects, Photography by Yong Kwan Kim
"The overall design of this house was definitely inspired by hanoks, in spirit," says Hwang, the building's designer.<br />
Residence in Bomuk, Jeju (2014) by Doojin Hwang Architects —
"The overall design of this house was definitely inspired by hanoks, in spirit," says Hwang, the building's designer.
Doojin Hwang Architects, Photography by Yong Kwan Kim
"The material is very organic. This brick, it comes from nature. Also, we created a balcony, at the front facade of the building. So it's just an office building, but you have a small area where you can feel the air," says Doojin Hwang, who used traditional design principles to create this 15-story office tower in downtown Seoul.
The Bricks (2011) by Doojin Hwang Architects —
"The material is very organic. This brick, it comes from nature. Also, we created a balcony, at the front facade of the building. So it's just an office building, but you have a small area where you can feel the air," says Doojin Hwang, who used traditional design principles to create this 15-story office tower in downtown Seoul.
Doojin Hwang Architects, photography by Yongho Jeong
This exceptionally modern building -- a training complex for the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers, a professional Korean volleyball team -- has a large, hanok-style atrium at its heart. The tower also employs the layered geometry commonly found in traditional homes.
Castle of Skywalkers (2013) by Doojin Hwang Architects —
This exceptionally modern building -- a training complex for the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers, a professional Korean volleyball team -- has a large, hanok-style atrium at its heart. The tower also employs the layered geometry commonly found in traditional homes.
Doojin Hwang Architecs, Photography by Youngchae Park
The roof and use of light were both created using hanok principles, says Hwang. "There seems to be a very clear distinction these days between stylistic application of traditional buildings and genuine reinterpretation of traditional architecture," he says.
Castle of Skywalkers (2013) by Doojin Hwang Architects —
The roof and use of light were both created using hanok principles, says Hwang. "There seems to be a very clear distinction these days between stylistic application of traditional buildings and genuine reinterpretation of traditional architecture," he says.
Doojin Hwang Architects, Photography by Youngchae Park