Cultural Context

Hanok (한옥) refers to traditional Korean houses built according to principles that predate the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897). Their defining features — the ondol heated floor system, the curved giwa roof tiles, and the hanji paper screens — represent a philosophy of living in dialogue with nature rather than opposition to it.

Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul contains approximately 900 hanok, many dating to the 1920s and 1930s. Once slated for demolition during Korea's rapid modernization, the neighborhood was designated a preservation zone in the early 2000s. Today it exists in tension between living heritage and tourist destination — a tension visible in the careful restoration work and the selfie sticks alike.

Jeonju Hanok Village in North Jeolla Province is one of Korea's largest concentrations of traditional houses, with over 700 hanok. Unlike Bukchon's urban density, Jeonju's village has a more open, town-like quality. Many of the hanok here have been converted into guesthouses, teahouses, and craft workshops, creating an unusually intimate way to experience the architecture — by sleeping, eating, and living within it.

The kan module: Traditional hanok proportions are based on the kan (칸), the distance between two columns, typically 2.4 meters. Every dimension of the house — room width, courtyard depth, roof overhang — derives from multiples or fractions of this unit. The result is a deep structural harmony that the eye registers even before the mind understands it.