Hanok

Hanok describes a traditional house in Korea.

Properties

The buildings are trying to create a habitat for the coexistence of man and nature. This principle is reflected in all aspects of planning, from the inner structure to the materials used.

Heating and cooling

When planning a Hanok is also considered very strong, the environment in which it is to be built. In particular, the climatic aspects play a major role. Consequently, different building typologies within Korea: In order to retain the heat better, the floor plan is generally square in the northern, colder regions. Moreover, all rooms are connected. The number of the window is reduced to a minimum. In central regions is more often found L-shaped floor plans, while the southern regions have elongated shapes of buildings. Numerous windows allow for good air circulation. To respond to the sometimes very harsh winter, hanok are equipped with underfloor heating " ondol " ( 온돌 ). In southern regions, the buildings have between rooms a covered corridor ( " Daecheong " 대청 ) that allows good air circulation. These simple methods of heating and cooling were so effective that they are still in use in many homes today.

Principles of positioning a hanok

The traditional house building in Korea is very strongly influenced by the surrounding nature. The principle for finding the ideal building site is called Baesanimsu ( 배산임수 ), which mainly describes two basic criteria: the main orientation of the building to a water and a mountain in the background.

Material

The materials used in construction of a hanok are all of natural origin: clay, wood, natural stone, etc. Hanji ( Korean traditional paper ) also will be used. It is glazed with a kind of bean oil, which makes it waterproof. It is then polished. Windows and doors that are covered with hanji, have not only an elegant appearance, but are also more breathable. The vertical wooden posts ( daedulbo ) are not anchored in the ground, but rest on cornerstones, which primarily prevent that moisture rises.

Roof

The roof expresses a lot about the social background of the builder of a hanok. Very elaborately crafted tiles, called Giwa, came especially to homes of bourgeois society ( yangban ) are used. The characteristic, pulled down low, corners of a roof are called Cheoma. In their planning is very respected exactly on the local path of the sun to provide maximum shading of the interior. The roof forms are different depending on the building type and floor plan, for example, hipped or gabled roof with gables. In southern regions, particularly on the island of Jeju -do, the roofs were often covered with rice straw.

Gallery

Hanok from outside

Interior

Interior design of a hanok

Kitchen