Can multistory hanok be defined as traditional Korean housing?

Korea Herald

11-05-2025

In reimagining hanok, Hwang Doo-jin does not preserve past, but builds future where tradition, innovation live under same roof
Hanok, the architectural style of traditional Korean homes, is of a premodern time since when the way people live has changed drastically, which means hanok must evolve to continue to house those living in the 21st century.
Hwang Doo-jin, the director of Doojin Hwang Architects who has won two grand prizes in the National Hanok Competition held by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, for Mokgyeongheon and the L residence, told The Korea Herald that he believes that hanok's evolution lies in the integration of the traditional strengths of hanok architecture and modern buildings.
"You can open the windows on a rainy day in a hanok. The eaves above the windows protect you, so even if the rain is pouring down, you can still open the windows, and air circulation is maintained. This is an idea that can benefit everyone," Hwang said. There are many features like this in hanok design, and there is still a lot of potential for these concepts to contribute to modern architecture, he explains. "That, to me, is the true evolution of hanok.'
Hwang tries to implement such hanok features into at least 25 percent of his modern architecture, contemplating better ways to convey hanok's value into modern architecture.
In the early 2000s, when modernization of hanok began in earnest, many architects thought of it as regression, questioning the need for such a movement.
"Hanok has become something of a genre. People tend to view hanok as a conservative form of architecture, but the truth is that modern architecture, which incorporates and internalizes the virtues of hanok, is actually a topic that is well-regarded in the general architectural world. This is because no one denies the significance of traditional architecture. The difference lies in whether or not we handle these elements in a way that is directly recognizable as hanok. I believe hanok can be included as part of the modern architectural repertoire."
Another evolution of hanok is moving vertically.
"The traditional hanok we usually talk about are not very large in scale. However, in modern society, we need to fit more people into a limited amount of space. So, we need to seriously consider whether it's possible to evolve hanok architecture into something more vertical. However, doing that would lead to a significant change in its appearance. People might no longer view it as a hanok."
Hwang was the first architect to build a two-story residential hanok, Mokgyeongheon, in Eunpyeong Hanok Village in Seoul, for which he earned the grand prize in the National Hanok Competition held by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 2016.
"Since it's a two-story house, there are spaces that don't exist in traditional hanok. For example, a two-story 'daecheongmaru' (a large open hall) is not part of traditional hanok design. Additionally, the house has a basement, and there's a large fireplace in the basement living room,' explained Hwang. "In fact, there are many people who are critical of this. They say, 'What kind of hanok is a two-story hanok?' And there are various opinions like that. However, I see it as a case where hanok architecture has adapted very well to the context of the 21st century."
In that context, Hwang believes that hanok, mostly perceived as residential, could become more common as a form of public architecture on a much larger scale.
'Many regional buildings were constructed in hanok style. One of the most beautiful examples of a hanok building is Yeongwol Station in Gangwon Province," Hwang said. The station was built 70 years ago, soon after the Korean War, "and it's incredibly beautiful. That's a great example of hanok used as a public facility."
"In fact, across the country, there are many cases where village libraries, community centers and such have been built in hanok style. I think it would be great if this concept were applied to elementary schools, kindergartens and day care centers as well. This is what I believe is important when it comes to the future of hanok architecture," he added.
Hanok is also a sustainable form of architecture, much more environmentally friendly than other forms of architecture that use concrete and steel.
'Wood is essentially a form of carbon storage. Through carbon fixation, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and store it in their structure. If we let the wood decay, the carbon is released back into the atmosphere, worsening global warming. But when we use wood in buildings and maintain it well, like in hanok, we can keep the carbon fixed in place, helping to delay global warming. Hanok buildings, if properly cared for, can last for centuries, contributing to sustainability by reducing carbon emissions."
As an architect, Hwang says his dream is to become the chief architect of Kaesong — the Goryeo Kingdom capital located in North Korea where some South Korean businesses had bases of production until 2016 — and to see his vision for a collaborative hanok industry between South and North Korea come to life. He believes such collaboration would contribute to the modernization and widespread use of hanok architecture.
"If reunification occurs, one potential benefit could be reducing the cost of building hanok. Currently, we rely on expensive pine logging in the mountains of Gangwon Province, but in Siberia, pine trees are abundant and cheaper. If we could secure logging rights in Siberia and establish hanok schools and factories in the Kaesong industrial park, we could lower production costs, making hanok more affordable and accessible," he explained.
"Kaesong, which already has many hanok buildings, could become a hub for efficient hanok production. This is my vision — to see this idea implemented and, as an architect, to someday play a key role in shaping Kaesong's architectural future."
Renewed interest in hanok, or traditional Korean houses, is palpable today, demonstrated by the growing number of hanok cultural facilities, cafes, accommodations and homes. While some new hanok architecture espouses the traditional form dating from the Joseon era, hanok buildings that have been adapted to contemporary conditions and lifestyles are also gaining ground. In this series, entitled 'Evolving Hanok,' The Korea Herald explores how hanok continue to evolve to stay relevant to current milieus. — Ed.
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