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- [ Written by Jo Jeon-hwan, President of Iyeon Architecture ]
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The main components of a hanok are as followed: main gate, middle gate, side gate, gosat (alley), courtyard, garden, foundation, cornerstone, didimdol (a flat step stone placed in front of the raised wooden floor leading to the inner side of the house), the main wooden frame of the house, doors and windows, wooden floor, roof and earthen wall. The main gate, which one sees first in a hanok, was an object meant to defend oneself and family, and to display power. The main gate, along with the kitchen and the room of the owner of the house, was regarded so important that he or an expert geomancer would advise on its location and direction when building a new house. The size and form of the main gate indicated the functions, characteristics and financial ability of the family.
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Portulacas and balsams were usually planted along the gosat or outside path to the main gate. There were many times when the main gate would not face the main road directly or face the front. There is an interesting story saying that this was intended to make it difficult for evil spirits to find the house.
The courtyard was an essential part of the house. It was a space where house chores were done, visitors were received, or even wedding ceremonies were carried out. It was customary not to plant a big tree in the courtyard. The courtyard was usually shaped like the Chinese character “口.” The Chinese character for a tree is “木.” The character “木” within “口” makes “困,” which means trouble.
Hanok is a type of housing with advanced foundations. In building the foundation, consideration is given first to the need to protect the house from underground water or rainwater. The gidan (foundations) also prevents the house from slanting or sinking by distributing the weight evenly using columns and cornerstones. Rocks used for the foundation were those collected from nearby areas or riversides. And so, houses built on rocks that can easily be seen did not look extraneous but comfortable.
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The main wood frame of hanok is combined with decorative elements, in addition to its functional aspects. The beauty of symmetry is an important feature of a traditional Korean house. The wood frame may look as if it was a coincidence but it actually conceals the thoughts and calculations of the house owner and carpenter. In contrast to a modern building, in which the structure and interiors have their own separate functions, the wood frame of hanok has a unique characteristic that uses the frame itself as an embellishment.
The changho (latticework of doors and windows) are regarded as the face of a house. Compared to that adopted in a Chinese house focusing on decorative perspectives or that of a Japanese house featuring exquisiteness, the latticework of doors and windows of a hanok stresses the beauty, overall symmetry and inconspicuous decorations.
- Ondol (a system of heating through direct heat transfer from the fireplace in the kitchen to the underside of a thick masonry floor) and the maru (wooden floor space) are the main features a hanok comprise of. The maru is a floor made up of thick boards. The wooden floor space built high above ground was originally adopted in southern areas of the country where the weather is hot and humid to avoid moisture from the ground. Later, it was also adopted in northern areas. The daecheongmaru (wooden floor space usually located between the entrance of the building and bedrooms) is the center of hanok. It was used for eating, sleeping, reading, and other activities in the hot summer.
As explained above, each component of hanok has developed its shape and materials for specified purposes. Thus, hanok is regarded as an object that contains the wisdom and culture of our ancestors.
- Curriculum vitae [ Jo Jeon-hwan ]
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- CEO, Iyeon Inc.
- Established Iyeon Hanok School.
- Displayed PR materials for Gangjin-gun at UNECO Paris.
- Built hanok hotel Lagung in Gyeongju.
