Hanok,which refers to Korean traditional house is a very peculiar and unique heritage of Korean culture and history.It gives us some picture on how Korean people live in the past as well as the ancestor wisdom on building the house without any help from technology or modern concept.
A we know,there is no such things called air-con and heater a decade or even few decade ago.How the ancient people could live happily in four seasons and prevent themselves from natural disaster such as earthquake?
Now,I gonna to introduce some unique concept of Hanok,
First is baesannimsu,a traditional belief of ideal location of house which face the river with the mountain at the back of the house.Mostly,the hanok faced south because it is believed to be warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Second is their heating system during winter.They are using underground heated rock system to warm up a house during winter.In Korean traditional architecture, is underfloor heating which uses direct heat transfer from wood smoke to the underside of a thick masonry floor.
Third is their ventilation system during summer.As we see in the pictures below,most of the hanok are equipped with wide and big open floor or living room for good ventilation during hot summer.Here is also where all the family are gathered together.
Besides,the red mud(hwangto)wall,roof and floors is the main contributor to the heating,cooling and purifying effect in the hanok.
Fourth is the shape of the hanok based on the region.
Generally,the northern part of Korea which is cooler than other region tends to have 口 shape hanok to block wind flow while central region mostly build in L shape.Last but not least,the southern part of Korea,which is consider warmest among all mostly are in I shape.
Here is the example for L shape Hanok.
Erm...I just want to clarify that the shape is not necessarily to mean the shape of the house but the shape of overall floor plan of the house.
Hanok is not a unit of house,but is a combination of several building which is huddled together around a square courtyard.
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In order to prevent the damage of earthquake, or 'Daedulbo' are not inserted into the ground, but are fitted into the cornerstones to keep Hanok safe from earthquakes.
Here is some great sites to introduce Hanok in Seoul area
http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&art_id=497&lang=en&m=0004003002009&p=03
Well,pictures definitely couldn't speak thousand words on Hanok but what is the best words you will give for Hanok?
by Ellie
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