Korean architecture – a traditional solution for modern problems
Siwoo Ryu
Introduction
Modern cities introduce many different types and forms of architecture to the society. As the population density of cities increases from natural growth and urban migration, their infrastructure and architecture must also evolve to match the demands and this development must be done sustainably. In terms of architecture, however, sustainability includes the ability to provide comfort to its occupants as well as the longevity of the building and environmental effects it brings. For an architecture to be sustainable it must also be cost and energy efficient in heating and ventilation. 1 Buildings constructed until recently, especially during the period between mid-20 th century and early 21 st century, did not take these factors into consideration. However, the traditional house of Korea, Hanok, has been maintaining this balance between qu ality of residents’ lifestyle, energy efficiency, and environmental consideration since it was first introduced to the world in the 14 th century. The building itself is engineered to provide thermally and spatially idealistic homes, as well as boasting valuable aesthetic qualities. These enhancements in quality of life prove its social sustainability, but it also stands out in terms of minimizing environmental impacts and disrupting the surroundings at its site. Through describing and analysing traditional Korean architecture, we can find the most modern solutions to the modern problems that architecture faces.
Ondol – sustainable heating
Korean architecture tends to be much better prepared for all sorts of different temperatures and weather conditions than western architecture of the same period. This is most probably because Korea experiences a wider variety of temperatures throughout the four seasons than is the case in Europe. It may get colder in northern Europe at extreme periods of the year, but those countries do not experience climates up to 40°C half a year later. In January 2001, Cheorwon, a country in northern South Korea, experienced a low of - 29.2°C, while at the other end of the range, Bukchuncheon hit 40.6°C in August 2018. 2 Likewise, this fluctuating Korean climate has forced its traditional architecture to be carefully engineered to provide living comfort.
1 Yelo Architects (2013) Modern Sustainable Architecture, Available at: https://yeloarchitects.com/modern-sustainable- architecture/#:~:text=Buildings%20will%20use%20solar%20panels,of%20awnings%2C%20blinds%20or%20shutt ers (Accessed: 08/03/2022). 2 Korean Meteorological Administration (2022) Domestic Climate Data: Climate Data Extreme Values, Available at: http://www.weather.go.kr/weather/climate/extreme_daily.jsp?type=max_temp&x=22&y=3&mm=13 (Accessed: 13/03/2022),
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