When zigzagging through the meandering pathways of Bukchon Hanok Village, you’ll find yourself looking up rather than ahead. A hanok Korean house stuns visitors with simple yet intricate designs best showcased through the roofs that serve a purpose beyond just shelter.
I come from a family that appreciates art and function. My mom is an architect, after all! During my years in South Korea, I must have sent a few hundred pictures to her of all the different Hanok houses I found throughout the country.
In this article, we’ll discuss the development of specific designs, plus the best places to see these buildings in South Korea, including the Hanok Jeonju village and Bukchon in Seoul.
The History of the Hanok Korean House
A Hanok is the traditional style of house on the Korean Peninsula. The word hanok actually represents the entire home, not just the eye-catching slanted roof.
Hanok Korean house architecture began in the 14th century and is largely attributed to influences during the early Joseon Dynasty.
What Makes a Hanok Unique?
The brilliance of the Hanok comes from an element that even prolific architects sometimes get wrong: the marriage between craftsmanship and functionality. More specifically, it is the ability to regulate temperature throughout seasonally severe weather. The use of an ondol floor-based heating system (which at one point essentially meant a bonfire under the house)kept the space warm in the winter while wood hallways retained coolness in the summer.
That Roof Though
I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit to absolutely gushing over the roof style of traditional hanoks. When I saw the photographs in Ceilings of Hanoks, my tender feelings found adequate words to describe them. The author, Cha Jang-sup, captured roofs with a new perspective: as bridges between earth and sky.
Practicality and Artistry in Roof Design
Many of us attribute the cheoma or curved roof as pure beauty, though aesthetic and function work in harmony. The roofs bend upwards at the edges because it allows more daylight to reach the windows. Likewise, the shape effectively blocks out direct sunlight in a wider area. So not only are the internal rooms brighter, but they stay cooler as well.
Where to See a Hanok Korean House?
Hanok homes exist all throughout the country, particularly now, as there’s a popular revival trend within new buildings. There are a few notable places around South Korea to see these lovely buildings bunched together in a way that mimics old-world Korea.
Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul
Most well-known is the Bukchon Hanok Village, where you can see modern construction interfused with ancestral building methods. There’s a large variety of hidden courtyards within older buildings, though you’ll also find them alongside fresh cedar shingles and ornate door knockers.
What makes Bukchon, South Korea, so great is its proximity to the capital city’s main palace: Gyeongbokgung. You can easily book a tour, which will guide you through the beautiful culture village and palace, and have the option to rent a hanbok as well!
The Hanok Korean House in Jeonju Village
Head south to Jeonju and immerse yourself in a full-day experience. Residents developed this area in 1930 to band against the Japanese occupation that attempted to destroy the Jeonju fortress. Now, it’s a preserved city that represents the cultural hub of South Korea.
You can visit this historically notable area and get involved with events celebrating Korean heritage, including dances, games, and street food.
To see the Hanok Jeonju village, you will need to take the KTX train 1.5 hours outside of Seoul. Worry not; this day trip will be well worth the experience. If planned during the right time, you can catch the bulk of the cultural events that take place regularly throughout the city.
From the stone mounds of royal tombs to temperature-regulating homes, Korean architecture represents itself in a multitude of different forms. You learn more about the cultural values, practicality, and beauty by exploring this style of architecture.
