The Type setting and Application of the New-hanok type Public Buildings - Focused on Cases were completed after 2000 -

1.1. Research Background and Objective

In the 21st century, as the environment-friendly functions and healing effects of hanok were rediscovered and Korea-style design was reevaluated, public interest and demand of hanok increased. As a result, various types of hanok started to appear in residential buildings like house, hotel, and office house and tourism and office buildings. In addition, // as the government rolled out a policy for ‘Hanok-Style Public Construction Support Project’¹⁾ to build public buildings in hanok style, so the public can experience it easily, various hanok public buildings spread through the nation. As such supportive policy and economic benefit for hanok construction were geared in, ‘Architectural Assets, Promotion Act for Hanok, Etc.’²⁾, which stipulates special exemption from some regulations of architectural laws, was enacted from June 2015, along with several other supportive plans. They are aimed to help build hanok more easily.

However, it is true that there is no clear definition of and guideline for hanok public buildings, so too diverse types of hanok buildings exist without clear classification. It makes it hard for the government to determine the eligible candidate construction for subsidy by type. To establish a standard for governmental support method and financial aid, therefore, it feels very urgent and necessary to draw a clean line on the definition and categorization of the new-type hanok public buildings that have been built since ’00. To achieve the objective, it is necessary to set types and analyze architectural status and characteristics by type.

This study originally started with the perspective that new-hanok type building should be based on wooden structure but flexible enough to use compound structure, innovative construction method, functionally improved materials and consider modern convenience and functions to become a large-scaled hanok as modern public architecture pursues.

The present study is aimed to do a case study with the hanok public buildings completed after ’00 and then set the types of New-hanok type public buildings and analyze the architectural planning characteristics by type. Eventually, it will find the significance of the study in that such effort can help establish the legal status of new-hanok type public buildings and review the applicability by type for the governmental support in developing the model of new-hanok type public building in future.

1.2. Research Scope and Method

The scope of this research is limited to the hanok public buildings completed after ’00 among the new hanok public buildings defined and categorized in this study. The exceptions from the scope of this study are those modeled only after the appearance of hanok, adopting part of hanok motives and built in reinforced concrete, a modern building whose only part of room is constructed in hanok style, and large government buildings and offices that are related to the daily lives of residents.

Research method follows first the review of current applicable laws and regulations to establish the definition and legal status of new-hanok type public building. Next, it is to set the criteria necessary to categorize new-hanok type public buildings by type. And then literature review, internet search, telephone survey, field survey, interview with experts in related agencies and other media data are used to collect information³⁾ of the selected cases. The cases are classified by type according to the classification standard set in this study and their architectural characteristics are divided by type into spatial structure, function, and beauty for analysis. Last, comprehensive analysis is carried out to examine their applicability to government support measure by type in developing the model of new-hanok type public building .

Fig. 1.

Research Progress Pictures

2.1. Concept Setting and Applicable Scope

In this study, new-hanok type public building is defined as a main building, its attached building and Korea-style outdoor space, of which principal structural parts such as column and (cross)beam are made in wooden structure and added with modern structure such as reinforced concrete or steel structures, that accommodates various functions through variable space planning; succeeds to Korea traditional beauty; reflects both the elements of reinterpreted traditional beauty and the future-oriented designing factors; is closely related to the daily lives of residents; and enhances the welfare of residents, cultural benefits and exchange.

Fig. 2.

The Basic concept of New-hanok type building

As seen in Table 1, the scope of new-hanok type public buildings that this study sets is limited to the buildings that are often used by residents and closely related to their lives among public and government buildings. They were originally divided housing type and region type for analytic purpose, but the cases that belong to housing type were excluded from analysis due to the lack of cases that belong to it.

Table 1.

Coverage of New-hanok type Public building

2.2. Establishment of Legal Status

Article 2 of Architectural Assets, Promotion Act for Hanok and Etc. (hereinafter called ‘Building Asset Promotion Act’), which was enacted from June the 4, 2015, stipulates “hanok” and “architectural style of hanok” as “architectural asset”. According to Para. 2, Article 2 of ‘Building Asset Promotion Act’, “hanok” is defined as ‘a building and its attached building, of which principle structure is made in wooden (timber) structure such as column, (cross)beam and Korea-style roof frame, that reflects Korea traditional housing style’. Therefore, it is a concept that belongs to ‘a building’ of architectural asset. However, “architectural style of hanok” is defined as ‘architectural style built in form and structure of hanok or the form or/and structure of hanok of realized with modern material and technique’ in Paragraph 3 of the same law. According to Para. 7, Article 2 of 'Framework Act on Architecture’ “architecture” is ‘to plan, design, construct, maintain and manage a building and spatial environment’. Therefore, “architectural style of hanok” becomes a concept that incudes both a physical structure and spatial environment building, but it is too broad and ambiguous.

To clarify the criteria for governmental business support method and aid, it is necessary to specify the definition and category of ‘architectural style of hanok’ and furthermore the legal status of ‘new-hanok type public buildings’ by type should be founded to make proper government support measures. To establish the legal status of ‘new-hanok type public buildings’, this study reviewed ‘Building Asset Promotion Act’ and categorized ‘architectural styles of hanok’, which widely exist in the society, into 4 types: new-hanok type public building⁴⁾, new hanok⁵⁾, modern hanok⁶⁾, and reinforced concrete building only with the appearance of wooden hanok⁷⁾. As seen Fig 3. the legal status of new-hanok type public building to which this study applies legal status has a different concept from ‘new hanok’ and belongs to ‘architectural style of hanok’ defined in ‘Building Asset Promotion Act’. And ‘reinforced concrete building’ with only the appearance of ‘hanok’, ‘modern hanok’ and ‘wooden hanok’ is excluded.

Fig. 3.

The legal status Establishment of New-hanok type building

3.1. Criteria for Type Classification

The types of new-hanok public buildings are classified by ‘architectural structure’ standard⁸⁾, which is the core concept of new-hanok type public building in this study, into wooden structure type ①·②, composite structure-convergence type ①·②, composite structure-juxtaposed type ①·②, as seen in Fig 4.

Fig. 4.

Classification criteria of New-hanok type building

(1) wooden structure type ①·②

Fig. 5.

Wooden Structure type

Hanok in wooden structure type maintains the apparence and structure of traditional hanok and is sub-divided into ① traditional Korea-style wooden structure and ② laminated wooden structure. For the construction of hanok for this type, various attempts have been made with new material and new technology, but it is still difficult to apply modern architectural program to this type due to such barriers as high construction cost, insulation, soundproofing, and maintenance. Hanok of this type is suitable for smallsized/ ground level-centered building. In addition, cubic spatial composition such as Numaru (upper floor), Daecheong (salle), Darak (loft), and Jjokmaru (narrow wooden veranda) is possible for this type.

(2) composite structure-convergence type ①·②

Fig. 6.

Composite structure-Convergence type

Hanok of composite structure-convergence type is one built in a complementary type with modern structure for the space where it is hard to build only with wooden structure. It can also be sub-divided into ① traditional Korea-style wooden structure + modern architectural structure and ② laminated wooden structure + modern architectural structure. It is possible to apply such modern elements as basement floor / multi-floor structure, and core structure to traditional exterior and even modern window and ceiling system can be applied.

Hanok of composite structure-convergence type can be understood as one of the broad applications of hanok. However, when modern structure is supplemented, caution is needed not to damage the traditional beauty of hanok.

(3) composite structure-juxtaposed type ①·②

Fig. 7.

Composite structure-juxtaposed type

Hanok of composite structure-juxtaposed type is the least of hanok style, which means that its main function is to dress a building with the traditional image of hanok. It can be sub-divided into ① traditional Korea-style wooden structure + modern architectural structure and ② laminated wooden structure + modern architectural structure. Hanok of this type makes the most use of both merits of traditional hanok and modern structure. For this type, focus is placed more on design direction of modern architecture than actual use of hanok space.

In this type, it is very flexible to apply such modern architectural features as 2-story or taller above the ground, glass mass, installation of solar heating collectors on atrium as well as to maintain the traditional beauty of hanok.

3.2. Summary of Case Studies

The present study selected the buildings that were completed after ’00 and are closely related to residents' daily lives among those that can be categorized as new-hanok type public buildings. Literature review, Internet search, telephone survey, field survey and interview with experts in related agencies and other media data were conducted to collect necessary data and information, and the architectural features of the cases are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2.

Analysis Case Construction Overview

3.3. Type Classification

According to type classification standard set in this study, the analysis cases were examined for construction status by type. The results are shown in Table 3. The cases can be largely divided by type as follows: wooden structure type; convergent composite structure (wooden + modern structure [reinforced concrete, steel-frame structure, etc.]) type; and juxtaposed composite structure (wooden + modern structure [reinforced concrete, steel-frame structure, etc.]). Wooden structure can be sub-divided again into traditional Korea-style wooden structure and laminated wooden structure.

Table 3.

Type Classification

Among 61 cases for analysis, 22 cases belong to composite structure-juxtaposed type, which is the largest and it is followed by wooden structure type (20 cases) and composite structure-convergence type (19 cases). 6 cases, which can most represent standard features by type, were selected from each type.

This examination demonstrates that most of hanok in composite structure-convergence type as well as whole wooden structure type maintain the appearance of hanok visually. Hanok of composite structure-convergence type is one in which such modern elements as basement structure and modern window system and ceiling are added to traditional exterior. In addition, it turned out that hanok of composite structure-juxtaposed type is built with modern architecture such as 2-story or taller above the ground, glass mass, installation of solar heating collectors on atrium as well as traditional beauty of hanok. This kind of classification system can help the government prepare support measures systematically for hanok construction by type, structure, size, and usage, where this study find significance of research.

4.1. Characteristics by Type

This study examined the planning characteristics of the cases that are classified into 6 types according to the ‘architectural structure’ standard set in the study for their spatial structure, traditional beauty (roof, facade, material, etc), and modern architectural functions (performance, purpose, etc). The results are summarized as below.

(1) wooden structure type ①

Table 4 shows the architectural outline and planning characteristics of the cases classified as whole traditional Korea - style wooden structure in dimension of spatial structure, function, and beauty.

Table 4.

Wooden Structure type① Characteristic

(2) wooden structure type②

Table 5 shows the architectural outline and planning characteristics of the cases classified as whole laminated wooden frame structure in dimension of spatial structure, function, and beauty.

Table 5.

Wooden Structure type② Characteristic

(3) Composite structure-Convergence type ①

Table 6 shows the architectural outline and planning characteristics of the cases classified as convergent composite structure (traditional wooden structure + modern structure [reinforced concrete, steel-frame structure, etc.]) in dimension of spatial structure, function, and beauty.

Table 6.

Composite structure-Convergence type① Characteristic

(4) Composite structure-Convergence type②

Table 7 shows the architectural outline and planning characteristics of the cases classified as convergent composite structure (laminated wooden structure + modern structure [reinforced concrete, steel-frame structure, etc.]) in dimension of spatial structure, function, and beauty.

Table 7.

Composite structure-Convergence type② Characteristic

(5) Composite structure-juxtaposed type①

Table 8 shows the architectural outline and planning characteristics of the cases classified as composite structure-juxtaposed type (traditional wooden structure + modern structure [reinforced concrete, steel-frame structure, etc.]) in dimension of spatial structure, function, and beauty.

Table 8.

Composite structure-juxtaposed type① Characteristic

(6) Composite structure-juxtaposed type ②

Table 7 shows the architectural outline and planning characteristics of the cases classified as composite structure-juxtaposed type (laminated wooden frame structure + modern structure [reinforced concrete, steel-frame structure, etc.]) in dimension of spatial structure, function, and beauty.

Table 9.

Composite structure-juxtaposed type② Characteristic

4.2. General Analysis

(1) Summary of type classification by purpose

It turned out that wooden structure type is most preferred for hanok-style lodging facility and traditional culture experience facility and most of exhibition and convention facilities are built in composite structure-convergence type. Interestingly, every public office facilities and education and research facilities adopt composite structure. community hall (including Gyunrodang (senior citizen community center) and child-care and nursery facilities are built only in wooden structure type. Also, religious facilities are constructed only in composite structure-juxtaposed type. Small libraries, neighbourhood living facilities, exhibition and convention facilities, lodging facilities use all of the three types.

Table 10.

Summary by purpose

(2) Summary of type classification by total floor area

As for total floor area per unit building, both ① and ② of wooden structure type are small in size, below 330m2. ① of composite structure-convergence type is middle in size, mainly between 330m2 and 1000m2.. ② of composite structure-convergence type is large in size, above 1000m2 or bigger. ① of Composite structure-juxtaposed type spreads in a wide range from small size to large one. ② of composite structure-juxtaposed type is mainly found in medium- and large-scaled buildings. To secure enough total floor area, hanok-type wooden structures, which are mostly small in size, gathers in a large number and form one of many individuals. On the other hand, hanok of composite structure, whose size is medium or large, consists mainly of one or two units and its indoor space is segmented within one large building.

Table 11.

Summary by total floor area

(3) Summary of type classification by number of floor

37 structures are one-story building and 20 hanoks are two-story buildings, both of which take 90% of the total cases. Most of wooden structure type buildings are one-store structures while most of composite structure-convergence type have one or two stories above the ground and one-story below the ground. And most of hanok built in composite structure-juxtaposed type have one-story below the ground and one-story above the level and it is followed by 2 or 3-story above the ground. Some of them are of two or three-story below the ground and 4-story above the ground. Therefore, it was found that hanok of composite structure type tends to have basement floor and two or more stories to secure necessary floor area. This attempt seems to be related to response to various demands for modern architecture.

Table 12.

Summary by number of floor

(4) Summary of type classification by planning characteristic

First, hanok of wooden structure type is characterized with such 3-dimensional spatial composition as Numaru (upper floor), Daecheong (salle), Darak (loft), and Jjokmaru (narrow wooden veranda); such variable space expressions as partitioned doors and detachable rails; natural spatial integration and disintegration by corridor, hallway, and yard. By function, individual cooling and heating (ondol [Korean floor heating system]) to save energy is mainly observed in hanok-type buildings and it turned out that some of them use new material and new technology for insulation and soundproofing. In terms of beauty, the elements to maximize the appearance of traditional beauty such as roof and facade are emphasized.

Second, composite structure-convergence type is characterized with such spatial structure as column-free space, large-scaled space, roomy facility space and barrier-free space (ramp or elevator) as it becomes more durable and lighter. By function, it is applied with new technology and new materials such as light roof, dry construction method, ceiling, system window, and walls equipped with insulator to improve privacy and insulation. As for the beauty of composite structure-convergence type, traditional appearance is added with modern elements such as basement floor, multi-story structure and core structure, which gives rather free composition of facade of hanok + modern building.

Third, composite structure-juxtaposed type is characterized with such spatial structure as independent coexistence of traditional hanok and modern architecture, which makes the merits of both hanok and modern structure stand out. Therefore, hanok of this type is various in scale and number of floor. By function, it actively embraces modern convenience and functions such as glass mass and solar heating collector installed on the upper part of atrium, based on traditional beauty. As for its beauty, the form of hanok is visually emphasized where vertical juxtaposition is needed and underground space is more used for purpose. Where horizontal juxtaposition is needed, external traditional beauty is stressed with the minimum form of hanok.

Table 13.

Summary by planning characteristic

4.3. Review of Applicability

To help establish the systematic government support measures in developing the model of new-hanok type public building, this study reviewed the applicability of the architectural structures of the cases by type, looking into scale, purpose and characteristics for traditional hanok and modern architecture, respectively. The results are summarized as below in terms of spatial structure, function and beauty.

Table 14.

Review of Application